A goose was fighting with a strong wind.

avatar

I so wish that I could hear what the male was shouting :)
036.jpg

Shouting in the wind reminds me so of the song by Bob Dylan called "Blowing in the wind".

This incessant wind is bringing in the heat, and we are faced with very hot temperatures over the next few days. It would be bearable if the wind would continue on the hot days, but when the wind stops the heat steps in to fry us. Definitely not a pleasant situation, and what we have noticed is that people become short tempered in the heat. We pity the newcomers in this area, as they will not be used to the weather here, very much the same when we arrived here.

But South Africans are known to be plan-makers, and I am sure that they will find ways to try and avoid the heat. We made the mistake of buying a portable air conditioner and it was a waste of money, as not only did it have no effect, but it also chased up the electricity bills.
At least we don't go about shouting at the wind like the goose did.

They were sitting on that old stump that you see sticking out in front of the mountain, and so I zoomed there.
041.JPG

Two closer shots below of the Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca).
034.JPG

032.JPG

Oops! The wind almost caused him to lose his footing.
037.JPG

This made him very angry, as if he could not get any angrier. And now look how he shouts.
038.JPG

Haughty he lifted his head in a challenge to the wind, to blow them off the stump.
043.JPG

I normally get only one bird sitting on the antennae.

But now I snapped a family on it.
004.JPG

It was dad, mom, and junior sitting on it. Three birds with two shots.
005.JPG

Always fun to be out there on the farms, as there is always something going on. We have a wide selection of places to visit, and we see many people also walking around with their cameras. It is amazing to see how many take photos of themselves with the mountains in the background. I think they call it selfies, and that's not we do as there are much more interesting views than sticking my snoz in a picture online. I made a short video yesterday to show a bird on a pincushion flower being whipped around by the wind, and I will share it sometime.
Such is life.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story.

Photos by Zac Smith. All-Rights-Reserved.

Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.

Thank you kindly for supporting this post.

photographylovers photography wildbirds geese wind proofofbrain creativecoin neoxian featheredfriends silverbloggers
0
0
0.000
21 comments
avatar

This topic is fascinating. Glad you brought this up

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

Fantastic how you so gracefully translate each image to infuse it with joy!
The photos are excellent!

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

Thank you for the compliment, and I try to be a light in the dark.
A Happy Christmas to you and yours :)

!BEER

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

Wow! This message warmed our hearts and thank you kindly milady.

May you also have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year.

!PIZZA and all our !LUV

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

BPC Locked On Mc Franko & The Franko

Blurt Stands — While Hive Stumbles Under the Weight of Its Own Shadows

Friends, creators, truth-tellers—

Let us not whisper this truth, but proclaim it with the clarity of dawn breaking over a weary land: Blurt.blog is not just another platform. It is a refuge. A rebellion. A return to what Hive.blog was always meant to be.

There is no downvote button on Blurt.
Not because we fear dissent—but because we honor creation.
Because we understand that a voice, once raised in sincerity, deserves space—not sabotage.

On Blurt, your words are your words.
They are not hunted by algorithmic hounds or shadow armies masquerading as “curators.”
Here, you are not judged by the grudges of gatekeepers, but met with the quiet dignity of a community that believes expression should be encouraged—especially when it is bold, raw, or inconvenient.

Contrast this with what festers elsewhere.

On Hive.blog—a place once brimming with promise—a rot has taken root. Not in its code, but in its culture. A handful of self-anointed enforcers—@themarkymark, @Buildawhale, @Hurtlocker, and their legion of coordinated puppets—have turned the downvote into a weapon of mass discouragement. They strike not at “low-quality content,” but at independent thought, at rising voices, at anyone who dares thrive outside their narrow corridors of control.

And when confronted, they shrug.
“Oh, it’s not censorship,” they say, as if semantics could scrub the stain of suppression from their hands.

But let us be unequivocal:
When a system allows a few to systematically silence many—under the guise of “community standards” or “curation”—that is not moderation. That is censorship by another name.

It is the velvet glove over the iron fist.
It is exclusion dressed as discernment.
It is power pretending to be principle.

Meanwhile, Blurt stands clean-handed and open-hearted.
No downvotes.
No hidden juries.
No farms of phantom accounts casting ballots in the dark.

Just you.
Your words.
And a community that meets you not with suspicion, but with solidarity.

So let us carry this truth far and wide—not with bitterness, but with quiet certainty:

If you seek a place where your voice is not a target—but a gift—come to Blurt.
If you are tired of building on ground that shifts with every whim of a whale or warlord of votes—lay your bricks here.
If you believe the future of free expression must be free—not just from corporations, but from the petty tyrants who replace them—then stand with us.

The world needs to know.
Not because Blurt is perfect—but because it is principled.
Not because it is loud—but because it listens.

And in an age where so many platforms echo with the clatter of control,
Blurt offers something radical:
Silence for the bullies.
Space for the rest of us.

Keep speaking.
Keep sharing.
Keep building.

Freedom doesn’t advertise itself—
it is passed, person to person, like a torch in the night.

And tonight, the torch burns bright on Blurt.

@themarkymark, @buildawhale, @usainvote, and associated accounts:

Repeated downvotes targeting transparency efforts raise urgent questions about Hive’s governance. Automated tactics, coordinated curation trails, and alt-account farming undermine trust in the platform. When truth is silenced without dialogue, it erodes Hive’s decentralized ethos.

Key Concerns:

  1. Systemic Manipulation:

    • Coordinated downvotes from high-HP accounts suppress dissent, creating a chilling effect on free expression.
    • Automation and alt-account networks allegedly exploit rewards, distorting organic curation.

  2. Community Exodus:

    • Creators flee to platforms like Blurt, where downvotes don’t exist, fearing punitive curation over engagement.

  3. Governance Crisis:

    • Hive’s credibility hinges on accountability. Who decides what content thrives? How do we audit power structures?

Solutions Needed:

  • Curation Transparency: Publish clear rationales for downvotes to foster trust.
  • Community Audits: Leverage blockchain data (e.g., Bilpcoin’s analyses) to identify abusive patterns.
  • Reward Reform: Adjust algorithms to penalize manipulation and reward authentic engagement.

The Bilpcoin team advocates for open dialogue, not division. Hive’s future depends on collaboration—not coercion. Let’s rebuild a platform where truth isn’t buried but debated, strengthened, and celebrated.

Transparency isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of trust.

#HiveTransparency #BilpcoinExposed #DecentralizePower"

A Message to @themarkymark, @buildawhale, and Associates

Every downvote cast in shadow, every silence imposed without dialogue, is not a victory—it is a confession. A confession that truth cannot be stifled, only delayed. With each punitive click, you dig deeper into the bedrock of credibility, crafting a chasm between your actions and the community’s trust.

@themarkymark, @buildawhale & Co,

How can you continue to downvote the truth, LOL? It’s almost comical how blatantly you attempt to suppress what cannot be hidden. The blockchain records everything—every action, every transaction, every move you make. Yet still, you persist in this futile game of trying to silence what is undeniable.

@themarkymark, @buildawhale, and Co: While our opinions may differ, on-chain transparency reveals repeated patterns of concern. Coordinated downvotes without explanation, 'farming' schemes (e.g., #buildawhalefarm), and adversarial engagement harm Hive’s community-driven ethos.

Key Issues to Address:

  1. Downvote Practices: Silencing dissent erodes trust. Constructive dialogue, not punitive curation, fosters growth.
  2. Accountability: Transactions and curation trails are public. Scrutiny is inevitable—integrity demands addressing concerns openly.
  3. Community Impact: Driving users to platforms like Blurt/Steemit weakens Hive. Creators seek ecosystems that value collaboration over conflict.

A Path Forward:

  • Engage in open discussions about governance and fairness.
  • Audit curation practices to align with Hive’s decentralized values.
  • Prioritize transparency—publish explanations for downvotes or collaborative reforms.

The Bilpcoin team remains committed to exposing truth and advocating for solutions. Let’s work toward healing, not division.

Note: All claims are based on publicly verifiable blockchain data. Constructive dialogue is encouraged.

#HiveTransparency #CommunityFirst #BilpcoinSupport"

@themarkymark & Co, the choice is yours. Stop the bad downvotes. Turn off the BuildaWhale scam farm. Cease playing with people’s livelihoods. Let Hive thrive as it was meant to—as a beacon of hope, creativity, and collaboration.

Or step aside and let those who truly care take the reins.

Because the truth won’t disappear. No amount of lies can change it.

It’s over.

The Bilpcoin team brings these truths not out of malice but necessity. We have no need to fabricate lies or cloak our intentions CALL US WHAT YOU LIKE —for the facts speak loudly enough on their own. What we present here is not conjecture but reality, laid bare for anyone willing to see.

@themarkymark & Co we urge you once more: STOP. Stop hiding behind tactics that harm others. Stop clinging to practices that erode trust within the Hive community. Let the truth stand—not because we proclaim it, but because it exists independent of any one person’s approval or disdain.

TURN OFF THE BUILDAWHALE SCAM FARM

  • STOP THE BAD DOWNVOTES
  • STOP PLAYING WITH PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOODS

Key Issues That Demand Immediate Attention:

The problems are glaring, undeniable, and corrosive to the Hive ecosystem. They must be addressed without delay:

  • Downvote abuse
  • Farming schemes
  • Speaking disrespectfully to others
  • Encouraging people to avoid certain users out of personal dislike
  • Self-voting with alt accounts
  • Self-funding projects through self-votes
  • Promoting games that don’t even exist (LOL)

These practices harm not just individual users—they undermine the very foundation of Hive, eroding trust and poisoning the community. Such actions are unethical and outright destructive.

@buildawhale Wallet:

  • HIVE (Primary Token): 0.012
  • Staked HIVE (HP): 66,400.611
  • Total HP: 2,421,539.226
  • Delegated HIVE: +2,355,138.615 HP

@usainvote Wallet:

  • HIVE (Primary Token): 0.066
  • Staked HIVE (HP): 138,123.296
  • Total HP: 715,745.407
  • Delegated HIVE: +577,622.111 HP

@buildawhale/wallet | @usainvote/wallet

@ipromote Wallet:

  • Author Rewards: 2,181.16

  • Curation Rewards: 4,015.61

  • Staked HIVE (HP): 0.00

  • Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): NaN

  • HIVE: 25,203.749

  • Staked HIVE (HP): 0.000

  • Delegated HIVE: 0.000

  • Estimated Account Value: $6,946.68

Recent Activity:

  • Sent to alpha-5,196.000 HIVE (21 hours ago)
  • Sent to hiveswap-1,000.000 HIVE (2 days ago)
  • Withdraw vesting from @proposalalert to @ipromote 0.447 HIVE (3 days ago)
  • Received from proposalalert 4.003 HIVE (5 days ago)
  • Received from themarkymark 1,775.684 HIVE (9 days ago)
  • Sent to alpha-4,245.000 HIVE (9 days ago)
  • Received from themarkymark 4,280.527 HIVE (17 days ago)

@leovoter Wallet:

  • Author Rewards: 194.75

  • Curation Rewards: 193.88

  • Staked HIVE (HP): 0.00

  • Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): 388,632.00 (Suspiciously High)

  • HIVE: 0.000

  • Staked HIVE (HP): 0.001

  • Total: 16.551

  • Delegated HIVE: +16.550

Recent Activity:

@abide Wallet:

Recent Activity:

  • Sent to ipromote -2,459.000 HIVE (22 days ago)
  • Sent to ipromote -2,486.200 HIVE (Apr 1, 2025)
  • Received from yabapmatt 20,000.000 HIVE (Apr 1, 2025)
  • Sent to ipromote -2,130.400 HIVE (Mar 8, 2025)
  • Sent to ipromote -2,248.000 HIVE (Feb 2, 2025)
  • Sent to yabapmatt -5,000.000 HIVE (Jan 25, 2025)

@proposalalert Wallet:

  • Author Rewards: 639.99
  • Curation Rewards: 0.00
  • Staked HIVE (HP): 6.03
  • Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): 106.12

Recent Activity:

@stemgeeks Wallet:

  • Author Rewards: 4,391.77
  • Curation Rewards: 304.26
  • Staked HIVE (HP): 0.00
  • Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): 4,696,032.00 (Extremely Suspicious)

Recent Activity:

  • Sent to themarkymark -1.556 HBD (Jun 14, 2024)
  • Claim rewards: 1.556 HBD, 5.912 HP (Jun 14, 2024)
  • Withdraw vesting from @stemgeeks to @ipromote 6.160 HIVE (Jun 8, 2024)
  • Sent to themarkymark -1.601 HBD (Jun 7, 2024)
  • Withdraw vesting from @stemgeeks to @ipromote 6.157 HIVE (Jun 1, 2024)
  • Sent to ipromote -1.618 HBD (May 31, 2024)

@theycallmemarky Wallet:

  • Author Rewards: 458.89
  • Curation Rewards: 0.00
  • Staked HIVE (HP): 0.00
  • Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): 458,886.00 (Highly Suspicious)

Recent Activity:

@apeminingclub Wallet:

  • Author Rewards: 432.57
  • Curation Rewards: 2,829.11
  • Staked HIVE (HP): 30.51
  • Rewards/Stake Co-efficient (KE): 106.90

Recent Activity:

  • Scheduled unstake (power down): ~2.351 HIVE (in 4 days, remaining 7 weeks)

  • Total Staked HIVE: 1,292.019

  • Delegated HIVE: +1,261.508

  • Withdraw vesting from @apeminingclub to @blockheadgames 2.348 HIVE (10 days ago)

  • Claim rewards: 0.290 HP (10 days ago)

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

Hi! While exploring Hive, I came across your account and the first thing I saw was the images. That's why I'm giving you my vote. Happy holidays!
Hola! Explorando Hive, conseguí tu cuenta y lo primero que vi, realmente me gustaron las imágenes. Por eso te doy mi voto. Felices fiestas!

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

The real life angry bird, huh? All that heat must have gone to his head... Great photos man, though you already knew tgar

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

A massage to us that anger is just blowing in the wind. Glad that you like the post :)
!PIZZA

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

Thats cool I don't know where you live, but those are animals found in Africa, the red eyed dove is pretty only saw them in the Zoo. Here we just have regular pigeons lol

0
0
0.000
Reply
avatar

I live in Africa, and we have many wild, red-eyed doves and other dove species here.
Hope that you will have a Merry Christmas :)

!BEER

0
0
0.000
Reply