I started my day with a dawn bike ride - one of my favorite things on Earth. I pedaled in crackling cold 4°F air. I saw the sun crest a rocky dome and felt lucky to be alive.
No humans besides me had yet ventured onto our roads. So, the animals still ruled. A small group of elk burst out of an aspen forest as I pedaled past a meadow. It constituted less than a quarter of the herd. I'm not sure where the other 80 elk were hiding.
I rode on in a grayish pink world and noticed a flash of brilliance. Red willow branches swayed in the wind, shining brightly against the deep blue-gray sky.
When I arrived home, the youngest family members buzzed with anticipation. But first, they put the dogs through their paces. Over the past few days, the dogs' respect for the small boys amazed me. The funniest thing was that the boys would tell the dogs to 'stay' but then they would forget to release them. I'd find a canine sitting at attention all alone in the middle of the floor. What good dogs, waiting to be released!
Later in the day, we were preparing for a cross-country ski and romp in the snow when a coyote meandered into our clearing. We watched her through the window, closely examining her with a spotting scope. That scope allowed us to discern that 'she' is a 'she'!
We scared off the coyote before heading out to let the dogs romp through the snow.
They sprinted with wild abandon.
And, at the end of a fabulous day, they snoozed, snuggled close together on their bed.
I wish you all the blissful peace that the Labraduo exude.
No humans besides me had yet ventured onto our roads. So, the animals still ruled. A small group of elk burst out of an aspen forest as I pedaled past a meadow. It constituted less than a quarter of the herd. I'm not sure where the other 80 elk were hiding.
I rode on in a grayish pink world and noticed a flash of brilliance. Red willow branches swayed in the wind, shining brightly against the deep blue-gray sky.
When I arrived home, the youngest family members buzzed with anticipation. But first, they put the dogs through their paces. Over the past few days, the dogs' respect for the small boys amazed me. The funniest thing was that the boys would tell the dogs to 'stay' but then they would forget to release them. I'd find a canine sitting at attention all alone in the middle of the floor. What good dogs, waiting to be released!
Later in the day, we were preparing for a cross-country ski and romp in the snow when a coyote meandered into our clearing. We watched her through the window, closely examining her with a spotting scope. That scope allowed us to discern that 'she' is a 'she'!
We scared off the coyote before heading out to let the dogs romp through the snow.
They sprinted with wild abandon.
And, at the end of a fabulous day, they snoozed, snuggled close together on their bed.
I wish you all the blissful peace that the Labraduo exude.
Hi KB, We thought we'd see elk on our way to Evergreen before dawn this AM - but no luck. Your wildlife photos are great, and the last of the tired pups makes me feel as though I should be resting soon, too! Thinking of you. Sure is cold in our neck of the woods!
ReplyDeleteKhyra wants to wish K&R a Happy HOWLiday!
ReplyDeleteWe hope all of you had a furry merry khristmas!
That is a very healthy looking coyote. Looks like the dogs had a good day of fun and it sounds like you did too.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the coyote . . .my she is beautiful. I know how unloved they are with most people out there, but to me they are just critters of beauty.
ReplyDeleteI love the little boy getting a "sit" and then leaving town. We wouldn't have to worry about Stella holding it past her patience point!
These are days for you to store up in a memory jar and haul them out when you are recooping!
Cheers,
Jo and Stella
That last picture makes me want to go take a nap! K and R are such good dogs! You're a lucky group to be together!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see one of the coyotes that live on our mountain, I hear them every night, very close to the house-makes my dogs go beserk!!!
ReplyDeleteYour Labs look precious in the last shot!
Hugs and belly rubs,
Kit
looks like you had a lovely day!
ReplyDeletexo
What gorgeous pictures, KB! And how GOOD your doggies are to stay so well unless released! That's excellent training, but sorry they had to "stay" so long hehee! Hope you're having an excellent boxing day today - I just can't get over your pix of the elk and that gorgeous she-coyote! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHugs xo
Sammie
Lilly sends her best Ho ho ho, but, of course, it sounds much noisier than that.
ReplyDelete