Connected and (a few) Posts of the Week

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. ~ Chief Seattle of the Suwamish Tribe

Lest I leave blogging behind all summer, I figured I'd better get a post up now and again. This is the now. Before too long, there'll probably be an again.

Below are a few images of creatures I've happened upon in one way or another - at or close to home.

A few weeks back, Frank discovered a large hole near one of our pine trees. He surmised that it could belong to none other than a groundhog.

Sure enough, a few days later, a glance out the kitchen window, toward some movement in the garden prompted me to grab the camera and capture this little cutie.





Nom, nom, nom.






We're hoping that none of the neighbours see him. Some didn't take kindly to the beaver in our lake - understandably since they have done serious damage to trees on the property. We know that groundhogs aren't generally very popular critters either so stay less visible, little guy!

Early summer is a busy time for egg-laying, if you're a turtle. Unfortunately, very few of them seem to make it to maturity since other creatures, like raccoons are quick to find the unattended eggs. The sides of the road (near the swampy areas) are strewn with small white opened and empty egg shells.


I was driving along our road when I saw this Common Snapping Turtle busy laying her clutch. She's way bigger than she appears, and gave me a few warning snaps even though I never left the car to photograph her.






Later that same day, I was driving along a country side road when I saw this little guy sloooooowly making its way across my path.






I got out to have a closer look, and found that it was a very pretty Painted Turtle. It was only halfway across the road and I figured it needed a bit of help getting to its destination safely.






Of course, I took the obligatory up close photo before sending it on its way. He's a bit shell shocked. ;)






Benny spends a few active hours after dark, looking for and chasing night creatures. Ninety-nine percent of the time, his chase is only in his imagination - although he was observered by our neighbour cavorting with a red fox a couple of weeks ago. He charges, snuffles, barks and then disappears for a few minutes, until call back. Most of the time, he returns all proud of himself for playing the fierce doggie cop - to nothing.






But every now and then, there's truly a reason for his guarding duties - like this young raccoon raiding the bird feeders.






He's managed to get himself stuck between the feeder and the lamp. Help! He left soon after Benny came back inside. I love his little foot print on the siding.






Last, but not least, this odd looking creature is a very wet, Skittles. He needed a much-hated bath after a two hour round trip to the vet. He didn't like traveling in the carrier without his brother and had a couple of accidents - there and back. "Smelly cat, oh smelly cat, what are they feeding you?"

Hopefully there'll be more photos coming up soon. Blog visits will happen sporadically. I hope everyone in the northern hemisphere is enjoying this wonderful summer. I know I am, and that's the main reason that I haven't collected too many Posts of the Week, recently. I do have a few photography posts for you to visit, and a couple of our regulars have sent me posts which they have recommended. So please do visit the few offerings that I have for you, and I'll try to have more for you soon-ish.

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And now, without further delay, here are the Posts of the Week. The icon below is yours for the taking if your blog post is named as a POTW.

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PHINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Brian II
by Adrian
at Adrian's Images

Macro With Red Background
by Linda
at The View From Squirrel Ridge

Stormy Beauty
by Fiona
at Lady Fi

Close That Oven Door
by Tabor
at Room WIthout Walls

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READERS' CHOICE
 
Recommended by:  Joeh
The Satellites are Laughing
by Murr
at Murrmurrs

Recommended by: Eddie
D-Day Remembrances: 70 Years On
by Hilary Melton-Butcher
at Positive Letters ... Inspirational Stories...

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Please drop by their blogs for a visit and leave a kind comment if you have the time. Also, please feel free to add your own choices (for any blog except this one) for a specific blog post in the comments section below, where others can see them.

Thank you

Wet Dog

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog.

~ Ambrose Bierce

I know that many of you are huge Benny fans and that there haven't been all that many photos of the little guy recently. Coincidentally, I had the following late summer images planned in this scheduled post when I decided to share the story of Benny's unplanned November dip in the lake. So for those of you who look forward to seeing our little guy, sit back and enjoy a bit of bonus Benny. Just don't let him up on your lap... he's all wet.

Benny loves playing fetch in the lake. If you toss a stick or a ball, he is more than happy to go get it. Just don't count on his returning it to you - unless of course you can entice him with another stick.




Hey Benny, you're going the wrong way. Turn around a find that ball.






There it is.






And there.






And there. I really found it hard to toss a ball and then lift the camera in time to catch the splash, so please indulge me.






Good boy! Bring it on back.






Shake it out, baby!






One more shake and you'l be just about dry.






Or not.

More photos coming up soon. Grab a towel on your way out.

A Snow Day With Benny

Bundle up folks, we're going to take Benny for a walk through the snow-covered paths. This walkway near Frank's place never sees a plow through winter so snow, ice, slush and puddles are all over the place depending on the season and the weather. As of today, most of the white stuff is in the process of doing some serious melting but on this day, we had a fresh snowfall and in some places, it was about as deep as Benny is tall. Come join us and see for yourself.


Benny waits patiently on a well-worn part of the path. Sometimes, his black spot is the only thing visible when he's far ahead in the snow.





Are we not moving along quickly enough for you, bud?





Even though he knows we're not crossing the bridge, he tries to convince us that we're heading in that direction. At least he comes running back when I tell him we're not going that way.





Benny was rather restless for the last few minutes. He was having trouble finding a suitable place to do his thang. It looks like he knows where he wants to be...





Yup, here's the spot.





Can you give a guy a little privacy, please?





This was one time that I was not going to follow him out there to pick up after him. It was far enough off path that it wouldn't be a problem come the melt.





Back home again - Benny just doesn't get enough of snow play.





Well, aren't you going to throw snowballs for me?





At the end of the day, the sun came out and our beautiful Benny finally settled in for a relaxing afternoon and evening. But the next day...

I hope you enjoyed our walk with Benny. Thanks for joining us.

Splendid Uxbridge

One day in August, Frank and I were feeling a bit bored.



Not all mopey bored like Benny seemed to be in this pic, but we had itchy feet and decided to take a day trip to the nearby town of Uxbridge.







It's a lovely little town. We soon parked and began exploring.








No matter the time or place, we all feel the same way about our splendid millitary men and women.








The Uxbridge train  runs 90 minute round trip excursions to and from the town of Stouffville. They have special themes trips for Halloween, Christmas, Armed Forces Day, or just to experience the autumn colours through the windows of their vintage trains.






 
 On our way to the pub for lunch, I got a kick out of seeing this wonderful, old Roxy theatre.







From our booth at the pub, this perspective from the bar caught my eye.








Another eye-catcher, these pretty purple blooms seen while out for a stroll by the waterfront.








Bullrushes were swaying gently along the shoreline.








This sheltered picnic area offered a nice view of the pond.








Heading back toward the car, we passed a store window where this parasol wreath made a colourful subject.








Back home again, Benny's boredom took full hold. I believe he was napping the whole time.

It Ends With A Bang!

Benny doesn't always cooperate when we'd like him to. If he's got his mind on a squirrel or digging up snow, or sniffing the hind quarters of that little French poodle, he won't likely come when called.

Sometimes he simply turns to head off in the opposite direction.

Other times, he might acknowledge your calls by defiantly watching you while gnawing on a bite-sized piece of ice.

However, there are times when Benny will stop in his tracks, turn on a dime, run like the wind, charge in our direction, joining us in just no time at all. Only one thing can turn him into this obedient little soul.

And only one thing can make him dance for joy. You're about to find out what it is. It begins with a leap for glee and it ends with a bang. Sit back and enjoy!