Humor – Bill Swartwout Photography

February 3, 2023February 3, 2023

This Crab Saw His Shadow

Punxatawney Phil’s got nothing on a Chesapeake Blue Crab

There was a time the Groundhog was as accurate as most weathermen – but that time ended decades ago. Now February 2nd is more a reason for day drinking in Punxatawney, Pennsylvania than for anything truly scientific.

chesapeake blue crab predicting the weather — A Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab can predict the weather with as much accuracy as Punxatawney Phil.

Whether the Pennsylvania rodent sees his shadow or not there are still six and a half weeks until Spring. Here in the Mid-Atlantic region those six weeks of weather can be warmer than average, colder than average or a mixture of random temperatures and precipitation events. Rather random, right?

crab weather meme data sample — Here is a data sample for the “Crab Weather Meme” as posted on social media – one of a few groups less than 24 hours after posting.

The weather throughout the Mid-Atlantic does reflect all four seasons. Sometimes we see them all in the same week – well, not really all four seasons but possibly anything from snow to sunny and 70s within a couple of days. Rather random.

Surprising Engagement on Social Media

What’s cool about the above image is that it was a “meme” I created as a funny post on social media. It was posted to Twitter and a couple of Facebook pages and groups. People must have liked it because I was totally shocked at the engagement it created. On FB it received over 800 “Like-Love-Laugh” emoji clicks, over 200 “shares” and over 100 “comments.” Maybe people are tired of the same ol’ same ol’ news reporting from some field in western Pennsylvania. Besides, who enjoys steamed groundhogs every summer? Right?

Link to the original image: Maryland Crab Lurking in an Assateague Marsh

Oh, by the way. It doesn’t matter if the Blue Crab sees his (her?) shadow or not. The weather outlook will always be the same. Randon, right?

January 14, 2023January 14, 2023

A Cat in a Fishbowl

Now the kitty knows what it’s like to be the goldfish.

Cats are curious creatures, and cats in the wild often enjoy playing with whatever catches their attention. But when it comes to domestic cats, sometimes they take that curiosity a little too far.

Cats have a natural instinct to hunt, and they are often drawn to small moving objects. Some cats may be attracted to fish bowls and aquaria (fishbowl – aquarium) because of the movement of the fish inside.

cat in a fishbowl or a fish bowl — Cat in a Fishbowl with transparent edges – great for T-shirts and home decor items.

In the “cartoon” image above, the cat has evidently changed places with the fish, presumably a goldfish, by being inside the fishbowl. He (she?) should have chosen an actual aquarium – because it might have provided bit more room.

cat in a fishbowl — Cat in a Fishbowl – full rectangular image for wall art and home decor items.

Now the cat knows what it’s like to “be” the goldfish. From predator to prey, curiosity and all that, right?

Perhaps you would like this as a small print for a child’s room or, perhaps, in your home or office as a conversation piece. Click one of the images above or one of the gallery links below for more information or to shop.

Link to: Cat in the Fish Bowl at Fine Art America.
Link to: Cat in the Fish Bowl at Pictorem.
Link to: Bill’s Redbubble store for T-shirts and more with this design.