One of those rare days

The absolute heaven of being able to spend an entire afternoon outdoors made for a very rare day.

The dogs were almost confused realizing we were not to be on our way from any particular spot but were there to laze away the afternoon. So numerous mud bathes ensued.

And just happy wagging tails through the woods, returning to the lake again and again for splashes.

While I sat and enjoyed a chorus of frogs who would fall silent every time I turned to stalk them with the camera. A hawk sailed by overhead and numerous crows noisily on their way.

Fish jumped in the water and leaves lazily drifted down from the overhanging trees while the dogs played in the lake and the bog.

Gusty winds rippled across the water and occasionally brought branches crashing down around us.

It was the sort of day Ripley enjoyed so much and I missed her laying in her favorite spot though Charm kept close watch over me.

Domino amused us so much with his mad dashes up the trail and his adventurous rock climbing that we decided to join him for a climb.

All of us were wind and sun blown and feeling the life rushing back into the forest.

And though Ripley was not with us, I think she might have been pleased at how well the pits have turned out and how manners have kicked in.

At the top of the cliffs, everything was in motion due to the wind and photo ops were fleeting.

The dogs were soon too hot and ready for more swimming while I watched the swallows busily constructing nests in the cliff walls.

Listening to the soft lapping of the water against the rocks.

Charm seemed to be trying to remember what it was like to have nice weather and finally decided to go to work on some sticks and brush drifting in the water. It's like both dogs have forgotten what it is like to linger.

Bird sounds drifted down through the trees and a cardinal stopped to check us out for a moment. Butterflies and insects zipped by on occasion.

The wind died as the light changed into the softer tones of evening and we were still reluctant to move on.

Everything just seemed wrapped in magic.

The chaos of nature scoffing at any sense of order.

And for a moment I thought I might have walked this trail for a million years. A butterfly landed on me and then perched on a tree and as I approached carefully snapping shots until I was close enough, it seemed when his face loomed in the viewfinder, he was watching me with the same sort of awareness.

And just when I thought the forest was done with surprises...I spotted a Flicker in the trees. A rare sight indeed.

Domino ran back up the trail and reappeared dripping with mud and so home to another shower for Domino, which he graciously complied with. Soon the puppies were snoozing with full bellies and lots of dreams.

Domino mud diver and GSDs at large

Ever have one of those days where you're just not getting anything done? I seem to have those more often as the days grow longer...could it be spring fever?

I decided a few errands and a walk were better suited to the weather than sitting on a computer trying to decipher the maniacal language of tech support...(you guys at the planet...you know who you are).

The dogs were a bit like turbo charged super balls after being stuck inside in the rain, but at least these days its sort of like controlled chaos.

I would say they were in high spirits, but for pit bulls, that might be redundant to say the least.

I am pretty convinced Charm is the instigator of about 98% of the shenanigans.

But...today I was super proud of my dogs.

We were heading up the trail when Charm gave one small woof.

Careening down the trail were two huge german shepherds who ran into Charm and carried her with them to the edge of the cliff. Domino just stood in surprise. The owner was close behind, trying to get his dogs. Domino just proceeded with doggy greetings even though one of the shepherds was very out of control.

After many apologies, the owner got his dogs under control while my two stood and waited calmly. I almost had a heart attack envisioning Charm pushed over the edge.

I realized in all the time I have walked here, my dogs have never bothered a single dog. And it was Domino's calm demeanor that brought the energy down several notches.

So trespassers aside, I was very proud of my dogs and the trespasser acknowledged my dogs' good behavior. I think Domino thought he might have met potential playmates, but he listened pretty well.

So I was very proud of my dogs staying calm in a scary situation.

And maybe just a little proud that I didn't panic at the sight of stampeding german shepherds! And remembered to divert my attention from the colliding dogs. Beautiful dogs though. And very proud that my dogs returned to my side when they heard them up ahead. Sometimes all that training seems to pay off.

So I didn't even yell at Domino when he decided to take a mud bath, and for anyone who doubts that Domino can take mud baths...here's living proof!Note the wagging tail!!!

And the best part...when I got home I ordered them both into the shower (for the first time) and they dutifully marched in without complaint. My car, however...BIG SIGH!

Back in the Wisconsin Woods

It is so good to be home that I didn't even mind the grey skies. Puppies anxious to be out after a week at home were more than happy to enjoy one of those not too spectacular days in Wisconsin.

I have to admit, growing up in a part of the world where the sun was a rare thing...I do have a special connection to those grey misty days.

Though light in the forest was a precious commodity.

What a joy to see things emerging, the entire forest coming to life.

I was out of practice and forgot the dog treats but Charm and Domino seemed content to run back for a pat on the head and a "good dog" almost as frequently.

We startled two pairs of wood ducks on the lake...I managed to snap a picture of three before they whirred away.

I love the tone of the forest on dark days...it is so quiet because the sounds that usually drift through from town are gone because no one ventures out but me and the dogs.

The jingle of dog tags on the trail and the occasional splashing of Domino or Charm in the lake is the only sound.

The light isn't there to guide me from picture to picture so I have to be more creative.

The evergreen trees were brown with thousands of little buds, their own peculiar way of flowering.

Watching my step along the rocks where crevices drop in between, I spent some time leaning out to try to snap the flowering branches.

Stopping to check the progress of the lilacs.

And tiny green leaves beginning to appear everywhere.

With plenty of the dry and brown still in control of the landscape.

And the tiniest of flowers seeming to be the boldest.

We had spotted the remains of a rabbit along the way and bird feathers abounded...it seems the owl has been a very busy hunter.

For the first time, ferns are taking hold on the edge of the lake and I hope they will continue undisturbed.

Today, for some reason, the sun brought out the colors of the stone along the upper lake.

I admonished Domino to stop barking at ground hogs in the boulders and went in search of the owl and finally spotted him directly over the trail and the remains of the rabbit. He seems to have gotten used to having his picture taken.

By then the forest was dark and full of shadows but I wanted to get one shot of the bushes beginning to bloom...

The first drops of rain began to fall as we headed home and the puppies, soaking wet from their swims still hate being in the rain...its a mystery to me how that happens. So dripping dogs soon were safe but very definitely soggy and on their way home with tails wagging.