Weekender 27/28 June 2026

[Dave]

Weekender 27/28 June 2026


Here's an oldie: the earliest version I can find on my computer is from early 2014, but the original photo could well be years older.

I've done numerous versions of the base photo; for this one I played around with selective color.

   

Today the last 6 games of the World Cup Group stage will determine the final 32 teams that will advance to the knock-out stage. Most of the advancing teams have already been determined, and I congratulate all of the 32 advancing teams. I am pleased that Australia and the US are among them, but I suspect neither will reach the semi-final matches.

More to come tomorrow, including my predictions for 1st through 4th places.

[Dave]

Good day, folks.

I hope it's been a good weekend for all.

Another oldie; the filename IDs the camera I used and from that I can deduce that I took this shot in 2016 or 2017.

Taken at a small local park, it shows a gathering of 5 White Pelicans in different poses, 3 or 4 American Coots, and 9 American Wigeons.

   

In the World Cup today's single game marks the start of the Round of 32; from here through the Final match it's win or go home. Over the 16 games in this round, there will be some upsets:

Croatia (world ranked #11) has a good chance of beating Portugal (#5) because Portugal isn't playing well as a team. IMO that's because Ronaldo (Portugal's star scorer) is all about himself, not the team.

Similarly, I think Ivory Coast (#33) could upset Norway (#31). Norway's unstoppable scorer Erling Haaland recently said that France will win it all, and that he's OK that it won't be his nation's team. Inexcusable!

I also give Japan (#18) maybe a 25% chance of upsetting Brazil (#6).

Other than these possible upsets I see the favorites winning in this round; including my USA team and MFI's Australia.

On to the Round of 16:
I see USA (#17) with only a slim chance of beating Belgium (#9). In other games I go with France (#3) over Germany (#10), Morocco (#7) over Canada (#30), Spain (#2) over Croatia (#11), Brazil (#6) or Japan (#18) over Ivory Coast (#33), England (#4) over Mexico (#13) if England starts playing up to their ranking, Argentina (#1) easily over Australia (#27), and Colombia (#14) over Switzerland (#19) in a close match.

Quarterfinals:
France (#3) over Morocco (#7), Spain (#2) over Belgium (#9), Brazil (#6) to upset England (#4), and Argentina (#1) to end Colombia's fine World Cup.

So that leaves us with the 3rd/4th  match and the Finals.

For 3rd place I go with England (#4) over Belgium (#9)

And in the Championship match I have France (#3) beating Brazil (#6) in a high-scoring match. If I were to bet on this match, I'd go with the OVER number of goals scored.

[Man From Ironbark]

   
Speaking of the world cup.

[Man From Ironbark]

The butterfly image is quite well done. As is the image with the pelicans.
I've only got this sunrise from my backdoor. It does have some birds in it if you look hard.

[Dave]

Thanks MFI. Yesterday I discovered a number of old photos on some CDs. So even though I'm in a slump with new photos, I have some of these recovered ones to work on.

I like your sunrise - good values and colors.

Interesting info revealed by that map. But I just can't see Cabo Verde (world ranked #67) beating #1 Argentina.

[Rich]

Well done butterfly Dave, or as someone on the old Wet Canvas site used to call them...flutterby's I like the "hand colored" B&W look!
The three species of birds seem to be getting along quite well! Neat capture!

Greetings Peter.
Ditto what Dave said!

We finally got a decent rain Saturday night, 1.5 inches. Going to be close to 100 degrees for the next week.

[Man From Ironbark]

I have 5mm in the rain gauge. It looks like there may be some more coming.

   

Meanwhile in my native garden are native birds.

[Dave]

Not a trace of rain here in my coastal SoCal area and temps from 63 to 76 (17-24). But in the low deserts temps have been 100 to 104 (38 - 40).

Beautiful colors that bird is sporting.

[Man From Ironbark]

Seen flying through patches of sunlight, they become flying opals. They are irridescent.

[Dave]

That must be stunning to see, MFI!