I need to be back…

Dear friends,

It has been quite long months that I haven’t written to you.

I should tell you first of all, Lucy, my wife of many years passed away more than a month ago, after a long period of time fighting a battle with cancer.

Now, it is my son Tyler and I, to face life which it’s going to be difficult without Lucy present. I am still pondering

My return to WordPress,is perhaps bit of distracting from the fact that Lucy is not here any mor I even went looking for birds to photograph because I haven’t used my camera for the length of seven months! I know that I can be out there again…

I just hope that all the good friends that I had for many years did not forget me!

My personal EMail address is: ruizhj800@gmail.com

Thank you my friends,

H.J

ANHINGA

The anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), sometimes called snakebird, darter, American darter, or water turkey, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas. The word anhingacomes from a’ñinga in the Brazilian Tupi language and means “devil bird” or “snake bird”. The origin of the name is apparent when swimming: only the neck appears above water so the bird looks like a snake ready to strike. They do not have external nares (nostrils) and breathe solely through their epiglottis.

The anhinga is placed in the darter family, Anhingidae, and is closely related to Indian (Anhinga melanogaster), African (Anhinga rufa), and Australian (Anhinga novaehollandiae) darters. Like other darters, the anhinga hunts by spearing fish and other small prey using its sharp, slender beak.

HJ Ruiz – September 17th, 2023

Tags: photos of birds

51 thoughts on “I need to be back…”

Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography on September 17, 2023 at 11:00 am said:

So very sorry for your loss. Several people on WP have recently experienced the same thing. After a period of time they too went out wandering again. At best probably a distraction… but why not.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 1:16 pm said:
  
  Hi Ted,
  Thank you for comment. I wanted to start communicating with my friends and taking pictures again! Yesterday I too my son with me and went for photos of birds. Thanks again, buddy!
  
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cindy knoke on September 17, 2023 at 11:22 am said:

Please accept my sincerest sympathy on the loss of your wife. I am so sorry. I am glad you are back blogging and hope your community of blogging friends will bring you comfort. Take good care.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Cindy.
  I wanted to start blogging to start communicating with such great friends, in fact, they make make feel better. Are you traveling anywhere?…
  
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jfwknifton on September 17, 2023 at 11:24 am said:

My sincere condolences for the passing of your wife.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 1:41 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much, John.
  I hope you didn’t miss me much, my good friend. I believe I can make a return to normality…
  
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  - jfwknifton on September 18, 2023 at 2:42 am said:
    
    It will; take you a long time, but always try to remember the positive things in your two lives as well as the loss of what we often call in England “your better half”.
jmankowsky on September 17, 2023 at 11:43 am said:

So sorry for your loss, H.J. I hope that being back blogging will be some kind of distraction, or possibly even a bit of comfort. I know I have missed that cheery red cardinal on my reader, as I am sure so many others have.
Wishing you strength.
Peace,
Julie

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 1:28 pm said:
  
  My dear Julie,
  I’m so sorry for the absence from WordPress, it has been seven months of anguish and extremely arduous work, going to doctors, Hopitals, taking care of a 13 year old kid, cooking, mowing the grass painting, etc. I will need some practice to get back to normal. How are you?…
  
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  - jmankowsky on September 18, 2023 at 6:39 pm said:
    
    I often take a few months off of
    Wordpress for various reasons. It’s a good feeling when I come back on to realize that I was missed. ;- )Those moments of checking out others’ posts are a bit of lightness in my day. I’ve often read that bloggers are grateful for the support of the WordPress community, and I feel that, as well. Funny the connections you can build with those you’ve never met face to face!
    Here’s hoping you are getting the support you need to get through this dark time.
    Peace,
    Julie
  - H.J. for avian101 on September 18, 2023 at 10:49 pm said:
    
    Thank you for your words. I feel a lot better replying to comments and persons that we have became friends. You will always be my friend with a beautiful garden and gorgeous landscapes! …
  - jmankowsky on September 22, 2023 at 8:47 pm said:
    
    Ah, what kind words! Ditto, my bird loving friend!
etikser on September 17, 2023 at 11:48 am said:

I’m so sorry to read of your wife’s passing. I hope returning to old habits (photography & blogging) will bring you some comfort.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 1:46 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much,Etiser
  Of course, the connection with my friends is going to be a good thing for me. My friends are important…
  
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Indira on September 17, 2023 at 12:22 pm said:

So sorry, HJ, to hear your loss…take care. WP may keep you engaged and out of melancholic thoughts… I am sure Tylor also will overcome his grief…

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 1:57 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Indira
  I needed the support of my friends, I think that I’ll make through do is Tyler, my son…
  
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David P. on September 17, 2023 at 1:10 pm said:

You are not forgotten, HJ. Words cannot express my sorrow.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 1:49 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much, Dave
  I missed all of you…
  
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Monkey's Tale on September 17, 2023 at 1:12 pm said:

I am so sorry for the loss of your wife Lucy. WordPress will always be here for you and provide the distraction you need in your healing. Maggie

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 2:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Maggie
  It works so well to be in contact with friends that I feel better already, thanks to friends like you, Maggie…
  
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GP on September 17, 2023 at 2:06 pm said:

My sincerest condolences!

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 2:09 pm said:
  
  Thank you a lot, GP…
  
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belindagroverphotography on September 17, 2023 at 4:34 pm said:

I am very sorry for your loss, H.J. I hope you find some distraction in nature and some peace as well.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 5:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you much, Belinda
  Nature, possibly will calm me and Photography will heal me…
  
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bushboy on September 17, 2023 at 4:49 pm said:

Sorry for your loss HJ. Yes get into your photography. It helps me no end. There is a new(ish) Bird of the Week photo challenge that may be of interest to get your bird photography going

Great Indian Bustard + Birds of the Week Invitation XXVIII

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 5:13 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Bushboy
  I was out taking pictures yesterday, I was so much thinking of Photography that it was like old times…
  
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  - bushboy on September 17, 2023 at 7:47 pm said:
    
    Very good
tootlepedal on September 17, 2023 at 5:15 pm said:

I was very sorry to hear your sad news HJ. I hope that you get some comfort from the support of those who read your posts.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 7:01 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Tom
  I just hope so…
  
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urzre on September 17, 2023 at 5:52 pm said:

May things get to the peace and love, as does life surprises us all. Nature shows us, life continues.
It changes, but it is all around. Hugs to your family and you as our friend.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 7:04 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Urzre
  I appreciate your good words…
  
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sv-anui.com on September 17, 2023 at 6:08 pm said:

Oh HJ, I am so, so sorry to hear your wife Lucy has passed away. Such a tough time for you and Tyler. I hope you find solace and healing in reconnecting with friends and creative distractions. Thinking of you.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 7:20 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Chris
  This I never thought it would happen,. Lucy is gone. Now \, Tyler and I are preparing for a new future without Lucy…
  
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aussiebirder on September 17, 2023 at 8:06 pm said:

So sad to read of your wife’s passing HJ, and how difficult it must have been for you both and your son. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences to you my friend. May our Lord give you strength courage and wisdom for the way ahead. Yes blogging can be good diversion therapy but also an opportunity to share your pain and suffering. Blessings 🙏😢

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 17, 2023 at 9:18 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much, Ashley
  I just hope the Almighty give us strength and wisdom as you said. For now Tyler is School and I opted to return to WordPress and continue with Photography.
  
  Thank you agin, my friend…
  
  HJ
  
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DeWetsWild on September 18, 2023 at 1:18 am said:

Dear HJ, we’re so sorry to hear about your devastating loss. Our sincere condolences to you and Tyler. May Lucy’s dear soul rest in peace. May you find comfort in your faith.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 18, 2023 at 9:25 am said:
  
  Thanks so much D. and family
  What you have told me is true Lucy is resting in peace after suffering for so long. I do comfort in my faith. I have prayed for so long but I still don’t get tired…
  
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  - DeWetsWild on September 19, 2023 at 10:34 am said:
    
    Know that we are thinking of you, H.J.
  - H.J. for avian101 on September 19, 2023 at 11:53 am said:
    
    Than you D. & Family!
John Hric on September 18, 2023 at 8:33 am said:

Very sorry for your loss HJ

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 18, 2023 at 9:26 am said:
  
  Thank you so much, John…
  
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Birder's Journey on September 18, 2023 at 6:12 pm said:

I am dreadfully sorry to hear this sad news HJ! But I know that you and your son will support one another, and your wife’s memory will always be a blessing for all those who knew her. ♥️
Please DO stay connected with your blog. You’ve touched so many people over the years and we have all enjoyed and benefited from the beauty of your photos and your words.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 18, 2023 at 10:41 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much, Carol
  I will try to be connected to my blog. I have many friends that y haven’t had a word with for long time. I needed to be back!
  by the way, Happy Rosh Hashanah!…
  
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  - Birder's Journey on September 19, 2023 at 7:09 am said:
    
    Yes, so many people care about you and will be waiting to ‘hear’ from you!♥️
shoreacres on September 19, 2023 at 8:53 am said:

I’m so sorry, HJ. What a difficult time you and Tyler have endured. That said, I’m happy beyond words to see you here again. You have so many readers who’ve appreciated your photos in the past; you’ve been missed, and it’s good to see you re-engaging. We’ll certainly profit from your new postings, and I hope you do, as well.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 19, 2023 at 11:35 am said:
  
  Thank you very much, Linda
  Your words sooth me, give more hope that I will continue my efforts to recuperate. I appreciate that you wrote to me…
  
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kathydoremus on September 21, 2023 at 6:57 pm said:

H.J. – your post brought a tear to my eye (I am so sorry for your loss) but a smile to my heart (that you are back with camera in hand again.) I pray that taking pictures and writing posts is a gift to you as you grieve, as I know it will be a gift to those of us who always enjoy the beauty you share.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 22, 2023 at 1:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks a lot, Kathy
  Yes, I’m trying to keep Photography as a shield to avoid to fall into depression. I want to continue blogging to be distracted…
  
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Jane's Heartsong on September 22, 2023 at 8:02 pm said:

I am shocked and sorry for your loss. Yes, it is good to grieve, and it is good to get back to what you enjoy. It helps.

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- H.J. for avian101 on September 22, 2023 at 9:34 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Jane
  That is what I’m doing,. I will dedicate to Photography and blogging. Take care…
  
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tanjabrittonwriter on October 6, 2023 at 10:09 pm said:

Dear HJ,
I am adding my sincere condolences and am so sorry you lost your wife, and your son lost his mother.
Nature can be healing on so many different levels and I hope you will have this experience.
All the best,
Tanja

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