Merry Maids!!!!!!

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited January 26, 2007 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

I was having my morning coffee when my lovely wife, Linda, woke up. Now normally Linda will have some breakfast, read the paper, normal stuff you know. Not this morning, she immediately started to frantically clean. With a sinking heart I realized that today was Merry Maids day. Merry Maids are a cleaning service who stop every two weeks and undo all of my best efforts to make my home comfortable. Why they call themselves "merry" is beyond me because they have never even cracked a smile and they tend to get downright hostile when they see my office.

I beat hasty retreat to the swamp to get away from all this cleaning.

I went down this one road and what did I see but a caracara and some vultures cleaning up after one of their wetlands cohabitants who had the bad taste to litter the wetlands with its lifeless body.

123996145-L.jpg

Being a raptor the caracara decided to claim first dibs on the remains
123996154-L.jpg

123996157-L.jpg`

123996174-L.jpg

123996151-L.jpg

Once the caracara was done the vulture got a chance to scoff up some leftovers
123996176-L.jpg

I went down another road and found a great egret and what was it doing? Cleaning itself of course
123996144-L.jpg

When it noticed me I got this reaction
123996181-L.jpg
Now amazingly enough this is the same reaction the Merry Maids have to my office.

That was it. I realized that their was no way I was going to avoid all this cleaning activity so I headed home in abject defeat.
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
«1

Comments

  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2007
    Harryb wrote:
    Hi Y'all,

    I was having my morning coffee when my lovely wife, Linda, woke up. Now normally Linda will have some breakfast, read the paper, normal stuff you know. Not this morning, she immediately started to frantically clean. With a sinking heart I realized that today was Merry Maids day. Merry Maids are a cleaning service who stop every two weeks and undo all of my best efforts to make my home comfortable. Why they call themselves "merry" is beyond me because they have never even cracked a smile and they tend to get downright hostile when they see my office.

    I beat hasty retreat to the swamp to get away from all this cleaning.

    I went down this one road and what did I see but a caracara and some vultures cleaning up after one of their wetlands cohabitants who had the bad taste to litter the wetlands with its lifeless body.
    Being a raptor the caracara decided to claim first dibs on the remains
    Once the caracara was done the vulture got a chance to scoff up some leftovers
    I went down another road and found a great egret and what was it doing? Cleaning itself of course
    When it noticed me I got this reaction
    Now amazingly enough this is the same reaction the Merry Maids have to my office.
    That was it. I realized that their was no way I was going to avoid all this cleaning activity so I headed home in abject defeat.

    Ohhhhhhhh geezzz those Turkey Vultures are down right ugly birds aren't they eek7.gif the rest of their body looks great but that head .... man talk about getting hit with the Ugly Stick! rolleyes1.gif

    Nice series Harry :D .... Skippy
    .
    .
    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • Trish323Trish323 Registered Users Posts: 908 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2007
    Merry Maids should shoo you out more often!

    Thanks for the chuckle..Great captures!!!!!!
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2007
    wings.gif #5 is beautiful
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2007
    I wanna see
    a picture of your office! rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Oh, yeah, some really timely bird photos!
    http://www.deegolden.smugmug.com
    http://www.twitter.com/deegolden
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2007
    Harryb wrote:
    When it noticed me I got this reaction
    123996181-S.jpg
    Now amazingly enough this is the same reaction the Merry Maids have to my office.
    That has to be the ugliest, craziest great Great Egret I have ever seen. Great photos and story Harry. It looks like you have been infested with raptors this year.
    Nick
    SmugMug Technical Account Manager
    Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
    nickwphoto
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 18, 2007
    Great series and story line, Harry.

    This is the shot though.

    123996151-M.jpg

    Cheers,
    -joel
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2007
    Skippy wrote:
    Ohhhhhhhh geezzz those Turkey Vultures are down right ugly birds aren't they eek7.gif the rest of their body looks great but that head .... man talk about getting hit with the Ugly Stick! rolleyes1.gif

    Nice series Harry :D .... Skippy
    .

    Thanks Skippy and the vultures are a tad ugly.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2007
    kdog wrote:
    Great series and story line, Harry.

    This is the shot though.



    Cheers,
    -joel

    15524779-Ti.gif
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2007
    Trish323 wrote:
    Merry Maids should shoo you out more often!

    Thanks for the chuckle..Great captures!!!!!!

    Actually the maids of merriment chase me out every time they come. :uhoh

    Glad you enjoyed it.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • StormdancingStormdancing Registered Users Posts: 917 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2007
    Harryb wrote:
    When it noticed me I got this reaction
    123996181-L.jpg
    Now amazingly enough this is the same reaction the Merry Maids have to my office.

    That was it. I realized that their was no way I was going to avoid all this cleaning activity so I headed home in abject defeat.

    Hooo Hoooo Haaaa Haaaaa When I scrolled down I could not see your bottom line about Merry Maids, but thought to myself I bet that's what the Merry Maids looked like when they went in Harry's office. rolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gif

    Great shots as always.
    Thank for sharing.
    Dana
    ** Feel free to edit my photos if you see room for improvement.**
    Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if
    no birds sang there except those that sang best.
    ~Henry Van Dyke
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2007
    dbaker1221 wrote:
    wings.gif #5 is beautiful

    Thanks, that shot seems to be popular and I wasn't that thrilled with it when I first viewed it (I cut off a bit of its tail feathers).
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2007
    You had me laughing....nice to see you climbed over that "wall" and landing with a bang! Very nice photos; especially the caracara! And the expression of that egret upon seeing your mug, well, that is priceless! rolleyes1.gif
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • ElaineElaine Registered Users Posts: 3,532 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2007
    You're a great story teller as well as a great bird shooter! rolleyes1.gif
    These are my favorites:

    123996181-L.jpg

    123996151-M.jpg

    Thanks for sharing!

    Elaine
    Elaine

    Comments and constructive critique always welcome!

    Elaine Heasley Photography
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2007
    Hey ya cut his tailfeathers................ Geeeeeeeeeezzzzzzz..........Rookiene_nau.gifheadscratch.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif :ivar

    Other then that it ain't to shabby bowdown.gif:D
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2007
    Dee wrote:
    a picture of your office! rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Oh, yeah, some really timely bird photos!

    Maybe later when I can get it back into shape and undo the damage from the merry maids.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2007
    gluwater wrote:
    That has to be the ugliest, craziest great Great Egret I have ever seen. Great photos and story Harry. It looks like you have been infested with raptors this year.

    Thanks Nick and we have had a good showing from our local raptors at the wetlands lately. I really blew it whil shooting the caracara and the vulture because while I was framing a shot a red shouldered hawk flew right throught he middle of the scene, slowly, and I was so surprised I couldn't get the shot off in time.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2007
    kdog wrote:
    Great series and story line, Harry.

    This is the shot though.

    123996151-M.jpg

    Cheers,
    -joel

    Thanks Joel, I'm glad that I didn't cull taht one.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,958 moderator
    edited January 20, 2007
    #4 & #5 are two nice ones.

    Is it still the same lady that comes to clean?
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • jdryan3jdryan3 Registered Users Posts: 1,353 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2007
    kdog wrote:
    Great series and story line, Harry.

    This is the shot though.

    123996151-M.jpg

    Cheers,
    -joel
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    15524779-Ti.gif

    Triple that up 15524779-Ti.gif15524779-Ti.gif

    BTW Harry, my wife insists we keep (ie pay) the Merry Ones - cause it forces her to clean her own shi ,er, stuff up at least twice a month wings.gif
    "Don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to. Oh well."
    -Fleetwood Mac
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2007
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    15524779-Ti.gif

    Thanks Glenn. wave.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2007
    Stormdancing wrote:
    Hooo Hoooo Haaaa Haaaaa When I scrolled down I could not see your bottom line about Merry Maids, but thought to myself I bet that's what the Merry Maids looked like when they went in Harry's office. rolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gif

    Great shots as always.
    Thank for sharing.

    You know what they say about great minds thinking alike. :D

    Thanks Dana
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    You had me laughing....nice to see you climbed over that "wall" and landing with a bang! Very nice photos; especially the caracara! And the expression of that egret upon seeing your mug, well, that is priceless! rolleyes1.gif

    Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed the thread. That wall is behind me, now I just have to catch up on my post work.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2007
    Elaine wrote:
    You're a great story teller as well as a great bird shooter! rolleyes1.gif
    These are my favorites:

    123996181-L.jpg

    123996151-M.jpg

    Thanks for sharing!

    Elaine

    Thanks Elaine, the egret shot made the day for me.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • gpphotosgpphotos Registered Users Posts: 266 Major grins
    edited January 21, 2007
    well...i found a pic of harry's office. it looks vaguely like my office...we even have some of the same furniture.

    rolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gif

    BHF%20-%20bathroom%20sm.jpg
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 22, 2007
    gpphotos wrote:
    well...i found a pic of harry's office. it looks vaguely like my office...we even have some of the same furniture.

    rolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gif

    BHF%20-%20bathroom%20sm.jpg

    umph.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Image MakerImage Maker Registered Users Posts: 70 Big grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    Just think, if Merry Maids wasn't a pain, you would not have gotten these nice pics. Interesting bill color on the caracara!
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited January 23, 2007
    rolleyes1.gif Can't we just get along? :D Interesting series H. Those caracarascaracarcarcarass are cool birds. I need to add them and some good eagle shots to my collection. Keep 'em around a few more weeks. deal.gifthumb.gif
    Mike McCarthy

    "Osprey Whisperer"

    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 24, 2007
    Image Maker wrote:
    Just think, if Merry Maids wasn't a pain, you would not have gotten these nice pics. Interesting bill color on the caracara!

    I was doing fine with caracara shots way before merry maids started coming aorund.

    Thanks for stopping by. wave.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 24, 2007
    bfjr wrote:
    Hey ya cut his tailfeathers................ Geeeeeeeeeezzzzzzz..........Rookiene_nau.gifheadscratch.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif :ivar

    I am so ashamed :cry
    Other then that it ain't to shabby bowdown.gif:D

    You're a kind man. :nah
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 24, 2007
    ian408 wrote:
    #4 & #5 are two nice ones.

    Is it still the same lady that comes to clean?

    Thanks Ian and the merry ones are new our old cleaning person got a better job.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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