Five minutes before sunrise was due today I shot these two images.
Three minutes later, as in the blink of an eye, a grey film slid over the celestial orb above.
Unlike this secretary bird, our rheumy skies remained lidded all day.
We visited Ann at Kitchen Makers to select colours for the woodwork in the forthcoming refurbishment of the house.
Later this morning I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/10/18/a-knights-tale-52-my-secondment/
After lunch Nick from Peacock Computers came to collect my iMac computer to transfer its contents onto a reconditioned replacement. This is necessary because my 12 year old model is now considered obsolete by Apple who will not support the latest two operating systems on it. Good as these computers are they really have redefined built-in obsolescence.
Some time afterwards, Aaron visited to explain his absence, to bring us up to date with his life, and to arrange to start up with us again. It was good to see him and catch up.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s splendid Chicken Jalfrezi; spicy mushroom rice; and plain naan, with which the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank Prestige & Calvet Cotes du Rhone Villages 2020.
I have a 2017 iMac that still runs perfectly, but I use this 2017 MacBook Pro most of the time. I hope the data will all be successfully transferred for you!
Thanks a lot, John. My computer has worked well – it just won’t be compatible with updates.
That’s unfortunate, my Mac’s are going to need replacement pretty soon. The MacBook had a new battery installed a couple months ago. I’m trying not to spend $1500 on a new unit!
I love the rheumy eyes description. Computers are planned obsolescence.
Thanks a lot, Pat.
Nice to see you both – all colours now ordered !!
Thanks a lot, Anne
You did well to get that many years out of your computer. Sounds as if you had a busy people day, just as well you got such an early start.
We did. And I knew I would have no iMac in the afternoon. Thanks very much, Gwen
That bird! Why is it called a secretary bird? It looks more like a scarlet pimpernel bird or a zorro bird.
Google has conflicting reasons, Luanne. Thanks a lot.
I like my names better!
Gorgeous shot of the Secretary bird.
Sorry to hear about replacing your Mac.
I still have a thirteen-year-old laptop, that I use occasionally because it has old software that is still useful. So, what I’m trying to say in my long-winded way is don’t get rid of the old machine just yet!
Sound advice, Sue. Thanks very much.
A day with a Secretary bird and a Peacock! 😉
A visit from Aaron! YAY! He’s such a good worker! 🙂
Beautiful sunrise photos!
So sorry to hear about your computer. Glad it could be replaced and set up so it’s rarin’ to go.
Ooh, selecting colours is always fun!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…”in the blink of an eye everything can change…” “life goes by in the blink of an eye…” We understand this more the more well-seasoned we become. So we live and love in earnest. 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn, especially for your usually apt P.S. X
I’m not the most trusting when it comes to forced updates. Love the bird!
Apparently there have been two more operating systems that I haven’t had access to., Jill. I have yet to discover what they have changed now. Thanks very much.
It’s unfortunate that you have to buy a new computer when the one you have works perfectly well. I’m still mad at Microsoft for forcing me to upgrade to Windows 10, which forced me to have to buy a new computer to run that huge, bloated monster of an operating system.
Fortunately I switched to Apple before Windows 10, but Jackie couldn’t agree with you more. Thanks a lot, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick. Misery loves company, eh?
That bird wanted to see the morning sky with you.
Lovely photos
Unfortunate about your computer . But hopefully you get one that works just as well if not better than the one before.
I am confident in Peacock Computers. Thanks very much, More.
You’re welcome Derrick
My sister saw that same sky in Portsmouth.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
You were an early bird today Derrick
I was. And made up for it today, Ivor. Thanks very much.
That’s so nice that Peacock Computers makes house calls and took care of the transfer since there was no way around getting a replacement.
Yes. They are such a good, small, firm. Thanks very much, JoAnna.
Sometimes, a two minutes window is all that one may get with the evening sky, and you were bang on the target. Last year, my trusted old desktop computer gave up its ghost after 12 years, which I suppose is more than a couple of lifetimes in technological parlance. I have several portable devices with which to dabble with and while away on the Internet, but nothing has quite matched the magic of the old workhorse that still houses the hard disk storage’s full of thousands of photos and videos. You are lucky your Apple is functional.
Aaron has begun sounding like a Dickensian protagonist.
Thanks very much, Uma. One of the good characters.
*I meant to say morning sky!
Of course – you read so carefully
The sunrise shots are just as spectacular as your previous sunset photos, Derrick. The bird would undoubtedly make a great secretary with such an alert look.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
It looks as though you caught your bird showing its nictitating membrane — a kind of third eyelid that’s opaque, but that protects the eye. I see them most often in water birds, which use them to protect their eyes when they dive.
Thank you so much for this fascinating link, Linda. I also listen to the audio explanation. I recommend it to other readers.
I am sorry you have to change computers, Derrick. Never a good time.
Thanks very much, AnneMarie. I only hope I can work the replacement.
That is always the tricky part, Derrick.
Yes indeed – but, so far so good. Thanks very much, AnneMarie
As a late riser, I loved seeing those two sunrise photos.
Thanks very much, Nicki. I had thought I had taken those pictures too soon – but tha was the last we saw of it.
The sight of a Secretary Bird in what looks like a confined area makes me sad. It should be out in the wild, striding along in the veld with its mate looking for food or flying with its huge wings outstretched. You have read this before, but here is a reminder of one in its natural habitat: https://somethingovertea.wordpress.com/2021/02/18/secretary-bird/
That was a timely reminder, Anne. I hope others notice it. Thanks very much.
Stunning picture of the secretary bird.
My lens and the blink were in sync. Thanks very much, Judy.
Are you sure that it was chicken and not secretary bird!
Now you have me wondering, Andrew.. Thanks a lot
I watched a programme yesterday about PC World transferring data from old computers to new,and it’s probably worth asking Peacock Computers what they did with your old hard drive, especially if it has any banking details.
I was taught this by the RSPB years ago. That grey film on the bird’s eye is its nictitating membrane, which “can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining visibility.” Very occasionally humans may have one apparently.
Thanks a lot fo both these comments, John. Peacock usually give me back my old hard drive. I’ll check
Beautiful sunrises–this seems to be the time of year for them. And the secretary bird–along with all the information about birds in the comments.
It sounds like you had a good “catch-up” day with various chores and errands–and a visit from Aaron.
Good luck with your computer. We use Apple computers, too–starting from the earliest models–and have been through several.
Thanks very much, Merril
Fabulous sunrises! I hate it when you have to give up on a faithful friend. Prior to getting my Mac, I’d had two Dell computers both of which provided 7 years each of reliable service.
Thanks a lot, Sheree
beautiful dawn skies, Derrick! and the secretary bird for sure knows how to pose for a lovely photograph! congrats on your new iMac!
Thanks very much, Lola
Stunning photos and I love the photo of the bird.
I think computers become obsolete the day after you buy them. Between hubby and I, we have 4 computers, and all have Windows O/S. Windows recently released Windows 11 and in 2025, all older Windows versions will no longer receive support.
My new laptop has Windows 11, but the others have Windows 10. We may have to replace my hubby’s computer soon but I don’t care about the 2 older laptops and use them only for backup and travel computers.
Good luck with your computer and I hope all goes well.
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Fascinating picture of the bird’s eye. And, oh, how I hate built in obsolescence! It’s wrong. Just wrong.
Yes. I’m grappling with the new one now. Thanks very much, Laurie
Those are beautiful sunrise photos, Derrick, and I have never seen or heard of a secretary bird. Is he someone’s pet?
I agree with Laurie, planned obsolesence is just plain wrong.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. Apparently they run wild in South Africa – according to Anne of Something over tea https://somethingovertea.wordpress.com/2021/02/18/secretary-bird/ This one was in the Hawk Conservancy Trust raptor centre
I look forward to seeing the refurbishments.
It would be nice to have something new. I haven’t replaced my PC yet, I use my Samsung tab in posting.
Thanks a lot, Arlene
Beautiful skies. I have never seen this bird before.
Thanks very much, Rupali
These are lovely pictures, Derrick. It sounds like they were lucky shots.
Indeed, Robbie. Thanks very much
Gorgeous photos! I also have an iPad that has 8 years now and it’s still working but can’t support the updates anymore 😆
That is built-in obsolescence. Such a trap. Thanks a lot, Ribana