§ Black and White Challenge...

I don't like Blogger much here of late! Anyway, Sue, at photowannabe, challenged us to share something in black and white. By the way, HER black and white image is truly outstanding! You must go visit HERE to view what she shared!   You really don't want to miss it.  Then, moving on...here is my rendition of black and white. I couldn't pick just one, so I opted for both...
Passion Flower


Wild Grass

§ It's All Written...and in black and white

The photos shared today really have nothing to do with my posted thoughts on the subject of laughter, but I am gonna share anyway.   They might wake up your dopamine!

I worked many years at a psychiatric facility before Bud retired, and very often study my antiquated DSM manual (a diagnostic book of mental health disorders...and NO, I'm not referring to anyone blogging so don't misconstrue my train of thought). Afterwards, I also texted my boss from many years ago and specifically asked her, her opinion on joking about current events & covid19. [she is a now  retired psychiatrist in Colorado and over time we remained in contact and friendship is continuing] She said in so many words "By all means, laugh and keep the stress this is causing us around the globe at a minimum". That made me feel better about the subject.  She also suggested I do some reading when I find time.   I then went out online and did some research on my own and found this from an expert:

Humor is essential, even — or especially — in tough times. Shared laughter gives us strength in adversity and can help us feel a bit more in control when the future looks uncertain. Most important, funny jokes — even funny coronavirus jokes — bring us together and help us to feel connected.  It's even proven to be beneficial to dopamine.

So, we all may agree  joking is one of those essentials for us.

PS...I had to further my knowledge and looked up dopamine:
  
Dopamine. Dopamine is known as the feel-good neurotransmitter—a chemical that ferries information between neurons. The brain releases it when we eat food that we crave or while we have sex, contributing to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction as part of the reward system.

I'm all for "feeling pleasure" and rewards if it's even through laughter.  Sit, stay, roll over!  That's a good girl!  Okay, I am expecting my reward?!!!  Indeedy!


- - - * * *- - -

Now, a tale of two sisters:

I was talking to my sister just yesterday.  She called to see how I was doing; that she was concerned.  
"How are you little sis?"  she asked right off the bat...
"I'm doing pretty well, it's too hot to move!"
a bit of a silent  pause from her side of the receiver...
then, she sighed audibly ..."Have you seen a doctor yet?"
My turn to be silent now!!
"A doctor?  Why would I see a doctor?"
My sister nearly interrupted me before the word doctor came out of my mouth!
..."You said you were sick with the virus" she blurted!
I started giggling, and finally choked it out...
"No no no.  I didn't say I was sick!!!  I said I had a case of Corona."

§ A Touch of ...Black and White

White Winged Dove

Great Blue Heron

Northern Cardinal

Carolina Wren

Hooded Warbler

Broad Winged Hawk

§ Black...White...and Rust & Maybe a Bird or Two

BLACK & WHITE - FENCE POSTS

While out walking the dried up salt flats, I came upon this trio of fence posts. I like the old weathered wood and the rusted barbed wire. I set the camera on monochrome and used the auto setting for color...with my paintshop pro, I then 'grabbed' the rusty wire and post and super-imposed into the black and white close-up photo...

FLY ME TO THE MOON - skywatch

...on an early morning walk at Packery Channel Park, I noticed a turkey vulture soaring near the moon, I aimed and waited,  following its flight pattern, in hopes for it to 'circle the moon'. Now, if it had gone behind the moon at any given point, I'd still be passed out on the boardwalk!!!

...I zoomed in on the silent flyer




ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE

On another early morning walk, in the quiet of the hour, I neared the observation tower. As I veered to the left heading toward the steps to climb, I spotted four snowy egrets in flight high above, and one lone vulture perched on the tower railing. My footsteps crunching as they made contact with the gravel path was the only sound heard....

...eventually, as I got closer, I was able to get a close-up of the T. Vulture, and then it took off...it was like the egrets were following the leader!!

§ Anni's Autumn...

GATE in BLACK and WHITE

Along the Oso Bay Wetlands Trail
Corpus Christi, Texas


* * Now, for some color!* *


AUTUMN ALONG THE TEXAS COAST

Finally, it's beginning to look and FEEL like our Autumn! I say "our Autumn" 'cause it's not a typical Autumn that northerners encounter. The high temperatures can still reach the eighty degree mark, but the humidity is low, low, LOWer. That, I like!! Oh, and the overnight temperatures usually drop about 30 degrees from what we experienced for the summer months.  Yes, it's drier for the most part, but typically this season is also the biggest potential of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Gulf.  There's always that.

The outdoor colors change. Instead of the white hot skies above, the blue becomes a rich hue with the likes of lapis stone. Wildflowers become seed pods in most cases while others; the blossoms thrive in the cooler air even tho they may be smaller in size. September in my region is usually the wettest month of the season, so the grasses turn green again and flourish. In some cases, trees in the heavy wooded areas are mixed with Autumn colors while others remain evergreen [not pine, but oak mostly]. The lack of wildlife activity in the heat of the summer months begins to build up.  Breeding season for birds is over and they're finished molting; acquiring new plumage, brighter and beautiful again.  Migration hits its peak between September and October for all those that head south of our borders into Old Mexico and Central/South America.  The hummingbirds flock to our feeders by the dozens to stock up on the sugar-water for their 1000s mile flight to their winter homes.  Squirrels are busy stashing their cache of seeds/nuts around the landscape while at times they stop to enjoy the rich nutritious pods.  It's like nature reawakens to a whole new world of color and survival...

SEA BUCKTHORN


MOUNTAIN LAUREL SEEDPOD



FOX SQUIRREL AT PARK

SILVER LEAF SUNFLOWER -and bee

CORAL BEAN SEEDPOD

HUMMINGBIRD STOP OVER @ Hootin' Anni's

NORTHERN CARDINAL in his new Winter Garb

OCTOBER SKY



...and then, there's Witches sittin' pretty...

HALLOWEEN F@CEBOOK
click on image below


Just short of a 2 minute slideshow video
In the video, the gray framed painting [the witch flying across the October Moon] is my own work done a few years back
Happy Haunting!