It's spring!

The good news is that it's spring! Although things bloom and grow all year long in this crazy place, there are still sure signs that it is spring.

Swallowtail butterflies, for one. A lot of them, everywhere.


And there is a new baby giraffe at the Zoo!

Argh!!! (an angry post)

Have you ever gotten the feeling that every breath you take costs you money? I mean, it was bad enough before, but it has gotten so bad nowadays, I just can't stand it anymore!

Examples? Sure! I have been with Wells Fargo bank for many years, had all sorts of accounts with them before going to Armenia and was quite happy, so naturally after coming back I went straight there and opened an account again. Turns out, while I was away they started charging for phone banking. You call the bank toll-free, yes, but then a charge of $2.00 appears on your account once you call.

Then there is the auto insurance. I mean, you buy insurance, you pay monthly premium. Period? No, fine print. There is, with Mercury at least, an "installment fee" - they charge it every time you pay. So, for my first six months I am going to make 3 payments and they are going to charge me $10 for each. That comes up to more than 5% of the total premium! I asked them if I can avoid it, and they told me to pay in full - but only after the second bill was already mailed and the second "installment fee" charged. Argh!

Not to mention that my wonderful ex-landlady is trying to bill me for all her old sins...

As if the taxes weren't enough.

Nonsence

My house phone doesn't ring too often. Most of my friends call my cell or e-mail me. So, when the phone does ring, 9 out of 10 times it is to present me with some nonsensical marketing offer. For telemarketers, it's blind shooting - they may hit the target, or they may miss. Being somewhat unconventional I rarely present a proper target, so all their calls do is irritate and amuse me in turn.

- This is the second reminder that your vehicle factory warranty may have expired...

(Until a few days ago, I didn't even have a vehicle.)


- This call is regarding your credit card account...

(What credit card account?)

- Hello and congratulations! You were selected to receive a free prescription card!

(Great! only I don't take any prescription medications.)

- We would like to present a great opportunity to reduce your unsecured debt...

(This one was a live person calling, so I told him I have no unsecured debt. He didn't believe me. - - No student loans? credit cards? medical bills?
I told him I got none of those. He then asked me if any of my family members may be in need of their services. Receiving a negative answer, he hung up, convinced that I lied to him. I didn't.)

Portraits

Another photoshoot, this time at LA Zoo. Mainly portraits.

This is done with Canon S3IS compact. Once my new dSLR arrives, I will try to shoot similar photos again and compare the quality.


For now, let's see how well you know zoology. How many of these can you identify before looking at the tags?

Red crowned mangabey female deep in thought over some food.


Crowned crane looks exhaused by the incessant noise made by flamingo chicks nearby.


Indian rhino enjoying some tree bark.


Ring-tail lemur meditating at a sunny spot.


Um... unknown species, gotta look this one up!


Gerenuk: "I am all ears".


Young male tiger, making noise like young males are wont to do.


Cape vulture giving me a distrustful look.

A face only a mother can love - cape vulture chick.


A non-resident house finch at a bird feeder.


White-faced whistling duck standing watch over the nest.

Gorilla - pretty much laughing at us...

Chimpansees engaged in a girly chat.