New leaves, turkey vultures and bog swimming

Just click the battery in the camera and both dogs come running, ready for an adventure. Take out a leash and they look at me like I'm the biggest disappointment on earth.

I was as anxious as they were to get out after a morning of pouring rain and even a fire in the wood stove to burn off the morning chill. The afternoon arrived with warm temperatures and even some blue skies.

I was hoping some mushrooms might have popped up in the rain, but not a one to be seen. I had to be content with a forest popping up green all over.

Super sonic dogs flying up and down the trail and even forgetting to pause long enough for treats.

I continued to document a forest which sometimes seems smaller by the day as the power company cleared a lot of brush along their easement and noises drift in.

It took me sometime to realize there was a new sound in the forest...the sound of guns from the trap club on the edge of town. It filled the forest with unease.

Another new sound was the emerging drone of mosquitoes, though none bothered me along the way. They just were an annoyance. Charm was soon swimming in the lake.

I sat on a rock and watched the turkey vultures sunning on the cliff up above. First one took off and two more appeared and stretched their wings in the sun. They took off one by one...beautiful as they circled for altitude.

They will always be my favorites.

We waited until they had all took to the air before continuing with our hike.

Watching the clouds drift away and the sun grow brighter. There were times I had to stop and think, because the moments were so wordless.

Just wrapped up in the same zone as the forest where things drift into one's senses and a feeling that I might have forgotten something and it is sitting there on a tip of my mind and then I realize I have been thinking nothing for a very long time.

Things become ageless and brand new at the same time.

The forest as familiar as my own livingroom and every little thing out of place noted. Like the strange shadow a bug casts as he sits in a folded leaf.

Domino peers over the edge and he hunkers himself down into a squat shape. So I thought this was a good picture for my dad, who says Domino might be getting a little chunky. But if he lost weight he might fall forward on his head! That's one big head, Domino!

Maybe the feeling is just spring. It seems like when spring appears...the forest picks up business right where it left off in the fall. Everything bustling on its way as though winter was just an interruption

The ants are already hard at work.

The view is taking on more and more tones of green.

Things appearing that seem new to me.

Buds appearing with fall leaves.

Leaves sprouting in the midst of last year's berries.

The bog is so flooded that Domino is almost swimming...almost but not quite.

Even Charm opts for a swim in the bog.

I stop and listen to the frogs and try to track one down. I finally realize that they are calling from in the water and the water ripples whenever they croak. And though its not a good picture...its the first frog. Shot between branches and across the way.

A walk turns into a long walk. And the thing on the tip of my mind finally comes clear and I realize its time...we had forgotten it along the way and it comes rushing back with the falling light. I guess that's what that means...I lost the time...

Vets, Doggy playdates and Spring

The dogs have been really roughing it while I have been catching up on household chores.

So today we were off for a playdate, with a brief stop at the vet to confirm that yes, 5 of my 6 fur kids have appointments in the next two weeks. Yearly vaccinations and a spay for Fable and the notorious yearly heartworm tests for the dogs. Oh my. With agility and obedience starting as well...maybe I should sign my paychecks over to the animals! Oh well.

But we were off to a playdate with standard poodle buddy, Magic, and I was so caught up in playing ball with the dogs and poor Magic had an encounter with a bush full of burrs and Domino galloped, galloped, galloped and every now and then some dog's snout was sneaking into my treat bag....I totally didn't get a single good picture.

After lots of doggy fun and games, we said goodbye to Magic and took a walk.

A chilly morning had given way to a luxurious afternoon.

The dogs were well pleased to have enjoyed a playdate, but still anxious to be on their way.

Blue Jays flitted through the branches and I even spotted the first dragonfly of the season.

Looking through previous years' photos, I realized that as hard as winter seemed, spring is pretty much right on schedule.

All the same things are blooming and perhaps all that is missing are the mushrooms sprouting.

Insects fill the air and the constant chorus of frogs echoes from the bog.

Sadly the lone wood duck egg was gone, as I had suspected it would be. Perhaps they found a safer nesting spot.

It was such a beautiful day and the dogs were on their best behavior and those kinds of days are good for the whole psyche.

Dogs get a certain swagger when they have been on a playdate.

I have just been so proud of them lately.

Domino made dizzying rock climbs while Charm dried off in the sun and I perched on a rock and enjoyed the warm breezes.

Bird calls now a noisy counterpoint to the quiet in the forest.

Though Domino might think he is back in the city with all the graffiti on "Flat Top".

It takes a very special kind of ignorance to do that I think.

Only a dead camera battery could have moved us on our way, but even the puppies were worn out and ready to head home, trotting along side by side in front of me the entire way. Anxious to return to their spots on the couch, no doubt. It truly is a dog's life.

Dancing in the rain

With morning dawning with dull gray skies and sporadic rain, I had no real intention of venturing out. But an early excursion viewing the lake from a whole different angle and very bemused by the ancient stone walls and perspective...I was anxious to pick up the puppies and get back out for a walk.

For as most dog owners know, there is a major difference between " going out" in the rain and a walk in the rain.

I did vow to leave the puppies at home some time so that I could do a little exploring along the boundaries, which is fascinating in itself.

But today they were happy to be out, rain and all.

I have been having a bit of a camera malfunction and I am not sure what the problem is, so I spent a little time trying to sort that out.

Domino was a good boy and did not even get excited when a deer bounded across his path. A simple "no chase cats" brought him galloping to my side looking for treats.

It sort of goes to show that dogs don't care so much about the actual words as the concept.

Raindrops abounded and odd things emerging from the trees.

The dogs were ahead of me and I could hear the sound of wood ducks taking flight before the lake came in view.

I was totally surprised to discover that the wood ducks had left behind a single egg sitting on the worst, most vulnerable spot on the lake...the dogs' swimming spot, trespasser's fishing spot, wild animals' drinking spot....

I carefully touched it to make sure it was theirs and it was warm. It's a pity, because even though I cautioned the dogs away...it is a target for all the other dangers, from owls to people.

Sometimes ducks leave their eggs in odd places before they begin sitting on them, hopefully that was the case. Because there are so many safer spots to make a nest.

We hurried on our way so that the ducks could return.

The water a deep green under the cloudy skies.

The very distant sounds of thunder interrupting the quiet from time to time.

Just happy to be out in the rain with dogs not so intent on swimming.

And the junipers already sporting berries.

Or perhaps still carrying them from last year...And old man willow glowing on the opposite shore.

It's all changing quickly now.

And I am glad that circumstances dragged me out on a day I might have skipped.

Puppies playing and wrestling all along the trail.

Domino convinced that every hole holds an elusive groundhog.

The rain washing the air clean.

Preparing the forest for that headlong rush into green.

The puppies were happy to be on their way, shaking out damp coats as though they had enough of the rain. Me too.