A Harris Hawk landed on our pergola Monday.
Monday was my first day of photography class that I’m taking through Maricopa County Community College. I was worried over the weekend, because when I clicked on my class schedule there was no time specified for class. I called my daughter and she explained that if no day or time is listed, it’s “asynchronous.” I learned a new word. Since she works as an academic advisor at UC Berkeley, I figured she knows what she’s talking about.
It’s an online class where there are due dates for quizzes and assignments, but you are free to work at your own pace, when you want.
I spent an hour or two reading the syllabus, module one of my class and I went through a tutorial on how to use their online system. I have two quizzes due by the weekend and we’re required to get 100%. Wow, I’m not sure what I signed up for!
Besides my first day of class Monday, a quail flew into our sliding glass door and lost his life. As he was down for the count, a number of carnivore hawks arrived to survey the scene.
I got lots of photography practice as they flew up to the pergola, to a tree, to the fence and rotated around the yard. Eventually, I left the scene and when I came back there was a pile of feathers from the quail on the patio and the carnivores had left.
Seven Harris Hawks on the fence.
This guy was getting close to the poor quail.
Have you taken online classes where you work at your own pace?
What classes have you taken for your own personal enrichment?
It’s a bird eat bird scenario.
Ha!
😂
Definitely!
I didn’t know that word but have taken online classes that were work at your own pace. During the stay at home portion of the pandemic I took a class from Harvard called “Tangible Things” and I learned how museums decide what to include in their collections. It was fun.
Wow. That Harvard class sounds fascinating. I’d think that the decisions would be subjective.
Well, the idea was the curator of each exhibit had a set of criteria and all things in the exhibit must embody these criteria. In theory it was rational, but in practice, like you suggest, it seemed to me that subjectivity happened. Maybe that was part of what I was to learn, too.
What an interesting job that would be!
I’ve taken lots of asynchronous classes and even finished my degree online, although that one very much had due dates attached! It’s ironic that you posted this today…I was just looking last night at a few sites that offer online courses. I’m feeling that itch to learn again 🙂
Good for you to finish your degree online. My daughter found her online classes more difficult than in class for her degree. Yes, it is rewarding to sign up and be committed to improve or learn something new.
I’m constantly impressed with the number hawks you have st once. We only see one at a time….
I thought it was uncanny how the hawks knew a quail was killed and waiting for them. They showed up in force.
Cheers to you! I taught some asynchronous online classes and they weren’t my faves…not as much interaction with the students, but for something like photography, the flexibility is a plus! Keep us posted on your beautiful pics and progress! 🥰
It does seem a little odd. I was expecting a zoom class I guess, like my weekly zoom call.
Yah…good for students like you who are self-motivated, for sure! 🥰
It’s different being older and wanting to gain knowledge as opposed to being a full time student, having to take classes to get your degree that you might not care about.
Agree! 🥰
👍🏼
I’ve never taken an asynchronous class, but I love taking classes when opportunity arises. This Saturday my daughter and I are taking an in person punch needle class. I take classes at the gym. I’ve taken classes at the botanic garden and cooking classes. Pretty much, sign me up!!
I enjoy classes, too. My daughter assured me that all the stuff I’m doing now is typical of starting any online class. I’ve done flower arranging, cooking and writing.
💕💕
Also did I tell you my daughter applied to Berkeley law? She hasn’t heard yet
No, you didn’t tell me. Let me know if she gets in and decides to go there! We could meet up on visits with our daughters.
Yes!!
👍🏼
Wow, Elizabeth – you sure have a lot to work with. I’m thrilled you are sharing the class with us! How fun!
Thanks! I’m looking forward to getting through the initial course work required for all classes and getting on to improving my photos.
Hey, I know that word. Ha, ha. The only way I would know what “asynchronous” meant is because of my son. When I look at his schedule and see it listed, I’ve had to ask him and he always rolls his eyes at me. Ha, ha. Like Wynne wrote, love that you’re taking us along for the ride. Good luck.
Good for you for knowing that word! I sure didn’t. I asked my daughter what it meant when she used it. She told me to look at it and what did I think it meant 😅
Funny you should ask! I think you read that I’m taking Advanced Skills in Genealogy. I have a deadline for the entire course(18 months), but it has internal deadlines. I’m behind, but have decided I’ll read through all the material but not get hung up on assignments. I’m not concerned about getting a certificate. My goal is learning.
Your hawk photos are impressive. A shame about the quail, but it didn’t go to waste.
Yes, I remember reading about your class. I agree the objective is learning, not the grade or certificate.
I have met your beautiful blog, Yesterday. This is, I mean your photographs such a beautiful moment that you captured. Life for me as an endless school. I love being always student. I attended several courses, but do you know what I learned from all my experiences in the classes,… it’s been a real studentship. Not being same at our early years. I mean you are being a good student more than ever. Good Luck for your new class. Photography is amazing. I am so glad to meet with you and with your blog. I will be following. By the way, I noticed that your subscription information but I can’t see your name in my subscription list. Something should be gone wrong. Even I live some technical problems too in my blog. I tried to add your e-mail address but it didn’t work. Sorry for this, maybe you try with another e-mail address, otherwise I don’t know what to do. Thank you, Have a nice day, Love, nia
Sorry again me. I have seen your e-mail address on your blog and I added now to my list. You don’t need to do anything. I hope you enjoy with my daily posts. Thank you again, Have a nice day, Love, nia
I’m glad you’re sharing your class with us, and your photos are beautiful! Looking forward to more! I learned a new word too, but I have taken some online courses. The ‘work at your own pace’ is nice, but there’s something about being in a class with everyone else. Have fun!
Thank you for the nice words about my photos. I only use my camera on auto right now. I’m looking forward to learning how the manual features.
Great photos, sorry about the quail.
So sorry for the quail, but man those hawks are gorgeous! SO many of them. You are making me miss Arizona.
When my kids started school (many, many years ago) I took a watercolor class at the local community center. It was the first time I did anything for myself as an adult for pure pleasure. I loved it so much!!
I would think the photography class would be not so stressful—I hope you end up really enjoying it.
Thank you so much. When did you live in Arizona and where? So far the photography class is learning how the Community College program works, plus this week learning the basics about my camera. The class runs until May, so I’m sure we’ll get to the “art” part of photography. That’s what the professor promises.
We lived in Glendale (near Happy Valley Road) in 1995-1997. We loved it there, but had no family ties and missed having a Florida Grandparent Support System since our kids were infant/toddlers.
I do know where Glendale is. Yes, I can see why you moved to have grandparents close by. Ours on both sides of the family weren’t that helpful. One was an hour away the other two states away. We live by Carefree and Cave Creek, but it’s technically Scottsdale.
I remember both Cave Creek and Carefree, although I’m sure they have grown quite a bit since I was there!
Coach used to run a turbine engine shop at Scottsdale Airport.
I’m sure our area has grown since then. Scottsdale Airport is right next to our Costco. That’s a very crowded area.