I just finished watching the Breeders’ Cup telecast, featuring Zenyatta’s amazing win in the Classic.  I wouldn’t have missed it.

Zenyatta is a horse that captures the imagination.  She is different, from her massive size to her pre-race antics.  Her goose-stepping dance is unique; like many people, my first thought was, “What’s wrong with that horse?”  After watching her run, the obvious answer is, “Absolutely nothing.”

Yesterday, I managed at last to get a pretty good picture of one of the phainopeplas.  Here it is, not perfect, but my own.

I cheated; I took it through the window.  The elderberry just outside has been alive with birds since the berries started to dry.  They must be sweeter after they dry out, because the birds seem to love them.  Unfortunately, they flit in and out of the depths of the leaves so fast I seldom get a good shot.  This bird sat there cogitating for the longest time.  It’s a female, so no silky blue-black feathers; but the soft gray is pretty in its own way.