I love when the pits bloom in the spring

Maybe it's my imagination...but sometimes it seems like on the nicest days, the dogs wake up with that "why aren't we out enjoying the weather?" look and then the guilt on my part just builds from there.

Work was set aside so we could enjoy a gorgeous day during which jackets were left behind.

Tiny plants popping up all over and a flock of turkeys taking flight as we started our walk....too quick to snap a picture.

The bird songs finally have come home to the forest and the first insects emerging, the fine lines of spider webs drifting across the trail.

We all paused in wonder at the lake, now completely free of ice.

Domino interrupted our walk many times to dash back and enjoy a cool wade in the lake.

All my cares were soon just forgotten puffs carried off by the wind.

I stopped for long breaks along the way, enjoying the sun, while the dogs backtracked to the water in between their explores.

The forest seemed like it was awake at last even with bare branches still in abundance.

What was green seemed a little more green.

At the top, bird feathers were scattered among the branches and I wondered if some bird had met its demise or merely left tufts of feathers behind.

Looking down from the top, all the trees had that halo that buds bring.

Soaking wet dogs were able to dry off in the sun, though Charm watched as Domino continued to backtrack for a brief dip in the water.

We stopped to check the lilac trees that grow along the top and sure enough, new buds were coming out.

And Charm looked alarmed at the first bees buzzing by her. Though she and Domino were very intent on exploring the cliffs.

I am not sure why they have become so absorbed in rock climbing this year, first it was Domino and now Charm has joined with the rock climbing.

Though Charm enjoys the view more than anything.

Domino kept stopping to see what I was doing perched on the rocks, wondering if I saw anything interesting.

He was very happy to linger a long while, enjoying the warmth and exploring every blade of grass.

It was hard to drag ourselves away from the sun and head home. But we stopped to give Domino some final wading time.

And Charm a chance for one last swim.

While I just enjoyed the miracle of green things appearing again.

The only negative thing from the whole day wasn't until we got home and Domino sat on a yellowjacket in my kitchen...so I had to rescue him. He ended up with a nasty knot on his butt...poor Domino...if there is a bee he will find it.

Open Waters

At long last the water is finally opening up on the upper lake and today we surprised a pair of wood ducks taking advantage of it.

Before I knew it, Charm also had taken advantage of the receding ice and was emerging from her first swim of the year, with Domino plunging in behind for some wading.

Charm before swimming begins for the year and Charm after swimming begins...two different dogs. Her batteries were charged to the maximum and after rolling in the dirt to dry off, she was one non-stop zoom through the woods.

So both of them were covered in mud with no sign of true sun to dry them off.

Plants were coming up everywhere and even some blades of grass appearing, and every twig suddenly showing signs that leaves were not far behind.

Of course Domino seemed to be stuck in fourth gear!

So its back to the all too familiar smell of soaking wet dogs in the car and their collars will soon need replacing every month from being constantly wet.

I had hoped Domino might take a plunge and swim, with ducks safe out of reach, but instead he circled the entire lake wondering if they might walk out...he learned today that ducks fly. But he certainly did his share of Domino wading.

April continues to roar...

Evidently March forgot the part about "going out like a lamb" because I think one and all are tired of chilly days and blustery winds here in small town Wisconsin.

It's been a hectic week with lots to do, but I managed to sneak in a walk every day pretty much between errands and commitments. Our walks were pretty much camera free, but today we managed to take a little more time.

Today was just one of those days where ambitions are dormant and motivation is lacking, but the dogs never suffer from that state of mind.

The biting wind never seems to fray their resolve to be out snuffling through the leaves.

For me its a chance to let the wind carry away the whirlwinds of the week.

And watch those negative thoughts scatter through the trees, leaving behind a somewhat refreshed spirit.

The water on the lower lake is all open, but the upper lake still embraces winter in its shadows.

It is sometimes like winter lingers where the activity is the slowest. As much as one becomes accustomed to the seasons, it is hard not to be impatient for warmer weather and green, growing things.

All in good time I suppose. Even traveling to Milwaukee yesterday I could not see spring creeping slowly northward as would be expected and forecasts do not promise any instant gratification.

I guess the good part is that the ticks and mosquitoes have not put in an appearance yet, which I am sure is a great relief to the animals who make the forest their home.

Here and there on the top of the cliff, there are a few wild flowers just beginning to come up and the gnats seem to be the only signs that the weather is breaking.

If you venture even a few feet from the cliff's edge however, even the tamaracks are brown and dead looking.

It is always well worth bundling up and shivering a bit to see the dogs so happy to be out in the weather. If the chill bothers them, I have yet to see any evidence of it.

Its an odd thing about dogs, they may be reluctant to go out in bad weather, but they are willing to go for a hike in the middle of a rainstorm or blizzard. Maybe its just the forest.

Whatever the case, I am very fortunate to have a place for them to enjoy and explore their wild side. Its sometimes hard to imagine that couch potatoes have a wild side. But just skip a day or two and no more couch potatoes!

I sometimes wonder if either one remembers life in a shelter, especially Domino who was in rescue for so long? I sometimes wonder what kind of lives they had before that? Did they have homes before becoming strays? Because sometimes I think, when they look at me, that they always knew that this would be their life. Perhaps to shelter dogs who are rescued, they just look at it as all the things they had to go through to get home. I hope so.

Sometimes you wake up with a feeling...

From the moment I woke up and looked around at chores and work done, I knew it was going to be one of those days. And sure enough, a dog emergency at a shelter had me emailing and calling trying to save one very sweet perfect dog and after hustling I was thrilled to make the last call and be told by a very cheerful shelter worker that he was being adopted as we spoke. What a close call for that little guy! I am so happy for him! But what a heart attack he gave me in the meantime! Saved in the nick of time! I hope you got a great home, little one! So after that it was time to scoop up my own dogs and get out.

It was such a pretty day. Chilly but gorgeous sun and clean and crisp.

Both dogs well in tune and making me smile with their exuberant antics up and down the trail.

Some days I am so glad to have so much work out of the way that I can enjoy these afternoon romps, It's a big motivator.

Domino are onto longer rewards so he doesn't get in the habit of zooming in for a treat and taking off, now it is about distractions.

I was well pleased with the progress and our walk just settled into a lazy pace. Standing looking up at the cliffs, something caught my eye, but even zooming in through the camera lens, I could not make out what was making me look twice...just something different.

So we continued our climb and Charm woofed once but seemed unconcerned. Suddenly two vultures took off form the cliffs where they had been sunning themselves.

They are so amazing and I love watching them all summer using the heat from the rocks to gain lift.

I was sorry to have missed them sitting on the cliffs with their wings spread catching the sun, but I continued on and then a third one joined them in flight.

Oh those missed shots, so rarely do you get a second chance and to miss it was sad.

But Domino caught my attention seeking a way down the rock face. What is up with that, Domino? You are not a mountain goat. Maybe his nose is telling him that there are interesting things living between the boulders. Luckily Charm doesn't have much interest in rock climbing.

We stayed for awhile watching for the return path of the vultures as they climb in circles, but they were mere dots in the sky very quickly. So we had to settle for more mundane views.

And bare trees without even the first sign of spring.

But there was one sure and reliable sign of spring...Domino flopped down in the mud to cool his tummy. Aww, the beginning of many days of a muddy Domino.

Another day well done, another happy ending.