it's a bird...it's a plane...it's a ship...

It's all three! In one photo!

Trust me, they're all there if you look closely enough. As always, click to enlarge.

The plane in question is one of those that drops water on raging forest fires, which I swear P told me one time was called a Canadese (as in, "of Canada"), although I could be making that up.* Or it might've been the helicopter version. Anyone know?

Here are some closer looks at the plane, albeit out of focus. I haven't had much practice photographing low-flying planes, obviously. But the sky? Ah! Did someone say endless blue?

Aren't propellers just precious?

The day after these photos, this was the scene on the railing of my balcony:

We were blessed with the wet stuff only for about 7 minutes, though, so the planes were out again the next day--they're a pretty regular feature around here this time of year unfortunately.

As terrible as it is that we have to deal with the fires, I do rather enjoy following the planes as they make their circuitous routes from the sea and back, over and over again. There's something rather soothing in the rumble, perhaps my knowing they're doing their best to keep us all safe.

Sights like this also help ease my mind and soul.

And yes, I am working hard on your questions; if anyone has any more, check out this post, and leave what you'd like to know in the comments--now would be the time to add them, btw, while I'm still feeling answery.

*Edited to add that I was half making it up. P actually said "Canadair" but with an Italian accent, and so I apparently latched onto the part I followed and conveniently forgot the rest. That's neither the first nor the last time that'll happen, I'm afraid.