I feel like I’ve hit a cold spell. I can’t seem to find any inspiring photos to post. I am not allowing myself to go back through old photos; it has to be something taken within the last couple of weeks and not something I used on Maps.
This week’s photo is a turkey. Well, several actually.
So, maybe you can guess- I am trying out #Bard to see if it can help me be a better writer. I uploaded the photo and asked for it to write a caption. Here are some alternative ones it came up with:
Under a cerulean sky, a flock of turkeys feasts on a lush emerald expanse.
A bevy of burnished birds basks in the golden rays of the sun, their iridescent feathers gleaming like jewels.
A rafter of resplendent fowl frolics in a verdant tapestry, their gobbles echoing through the tranquil air.
A cluster of crimson wattles bobs and weaves amidst a kaleidoscope of emerald and gold.
A plump parliament of poultry preens and postures in a sun-dappled meadow.
Okay, they are a little over the top, but they are a lot less boring than what I would have written.
The winter doldrums are a real thing @Rednewt74 , so don’t feel bad about hitting a cold spell (literally & figuratively). I think you’d be surprised how many people are now using Bard or the ChatGPT to assist with their writing. I see it as a scourge on the Maps as reviews start getting overdone with unnatural language and adjectives.
I think your Turkey photo is fantastic for the week. I have never seen a wild turkey, and the fact that you get them as guests (pests, maybe?) is cool. The picture simply captures your cold spell. There’s not much to do in the cold winter, the bushes and trees and grass have lost their fall color or spring/summer luster. But, we need to remind ourselves to still get outside and stretch our legs (or wings) to keep from going nuts. That’s what you were doing, and that’s what your turkey friends are doing. Perfect!
Thank you so much for the support and positive views. The turkeys are in Plymouth, MA. We see them when visiting cousins. The neighborhood sees them as pests, but we get a real kick out of them. They are much bigger than the wild turkeys we have here in Vermont.
@Rednewt74 Love this post and how you are sharing your weekly photo. Echoing my neighbor @JustJake , I love the long exposure one from a few weeks ago.
Wow, I’ve never seen wild turkeys before so this photo to me was really cool. Nice idea for the #bard to see what it comes up with. It reminds me of a Shakespeare poem filled with long fancy words.
I feel you there too on how sometimes you get a dry spell with creativity or ideas. I go through that too where I just can’t think of anything and everything I write and see sounds and seems bland to myself, or I’ll do something and just can’t focus.
To me though, your photos are always interesting and fun- they allow us a front row seat of your city.
This week it was actually cold here in Vermont. It is supposed to be, but this year has been unusually warm. Every now and then , when conditions are just right we get these delicate frost crystals on our car windows. This is a zoomed in view and I have added a tint to make the crystals more visible. This may be something you have never seen @tony_b .
You’re quite correct @Rednewt74 . The only frost I’m likely to see here is in my freezer.
My current 'mid-winter" temperature here is 27C, and I see that yours at the moment is -7C (yes I know 83F and 19F). The lowest we expect to get in these cooler months is 23C or 73F for a few nights, but definitely not in the daytime.
Awesome photos @Rednewt74 . I was completely unaware of this thread until you tagged me on that photo with the winter frost. Then I worked my way back through right to Page 1 and it was completely worth my time. Very interesting.
@Rednewt74 if you recall our initial conversation regarding Bard, it gets better with use. The first few weeks are tough
But the more you use it, the better it learns you and your preferences. It’s never going to be spot on, but would you really want it to be? I use it multiple times a day, some days. My Bard is male, so I’ll refer to a he/him… Just his week he’s helped me with ideas for Valentine’s gift sets for Market Fresh Jam; he’s given me a Crock-Pot recipe for pork chops; he’s searched for flights to and rooms available at a potential travel destination, essentially planning the entire trip. Last month I needed a theme for my final paper in my Leadership and Management course, so I uploaded to him. He gave my work a nautical theme in a creative way that I would never have thought of using. I received a perfect grade for the assignment. Give Bard a chance
What a cool photo @Rednewt74 looks like some frozen ferns. We’ve had a very mild winter here so far, thankfully. I believe 2023 was our area’s warmest year of record and I actually saw a bee buzzing around my outdoor Christmas lights. I’m sure there will be consequences in the spring, but I’m enjoying the mild temps and absolute lack of snowfall.
I am trying to pick only one good photo each week. Today we had a lot of activity at our bird bath. Cardinals, tufted titmouse, and squirrels. Since none of the photos are outstanding, I’ve decided to post a few so you can get a sense of what it was like.
Winter continues here in Vermont. We have finally had a couple of snow days. Maybe 8" (20 cm) total. So here is some snow: faraway, mid-range (the red blur on the right is a Cardinal in flight), and closeup.
spot on, but would you really want it to be? I use it multiple times a day, some days. My Bard is male, so I’ll refer to a he/him… Just his week he’s helped me with ideas for Valentine’s gift sets for Market Fresh Jam; he’s given me a Crock-Pot recipe for pork chops; he’s searched for flights to and rooms available at a potential travel destination, essentially planning the entire trip. Last month I needed a theme for my final paper in my Leadership and Management course, so I uploaded to him. He gave my work a nautical theme in a creative way that I would never have thought of using. I received a perfect grade for the assignment. 
Give Bard a chance 
