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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Stinkers everywhere!

I've suddenly been getting lots of visits from stinkers at my trail cameras. I've never photographed a skunk before the past two months. The one shown below is the classic striped skunk that most of you know.

We also have spotted skunks.
This is a view that you never want to see in person! Thank goodness that he didn't spray my camera.
I've had a stinker of a few days with the news about my spine degeneration depressing me immensely. Before deciding what to do about the serious lumbar spine degeneration, I'm getting an MRI of the entire length of my spine. Having the big picture might help with decisions.

I've really needed the sunny mornings in the golden aspen groves to keep me sane. Even when I feel down and simply exhausted from the never-ending saga of my spine, I go out and seek my happiness. After shaking off a few yawns, K and I usually end up happy to be outdoors and together.
When I dive into one of the golden aspen groves on my mountain bike, it feels like I've entered an alternative universe. I took this photo while rolling along on my bike so it's slightly out of focus. I wanted you to feel what it's like to ride fast through an aspen grove in autumn.
I desperately wanted to take K to visit these groves but I made a mistake a few days ago. I let K go across her agility teeter-totter, and she did it with far more verve than I expected. She came off the teeter-totter holding her 3-toed paw off the ground in pain. I thanked my lucky stars that the paw pain seemed to abate quickly, and one dose of Rimadyl had her galloping around like a puppy the next morning.

So, thanks to that good luck, we visited the grove together! You can barely see her ahead of me on the trail in the next photo.
We also gazed at a spectacular view of storm clouds over the craggy peaks of the Divide, all accented by golden aspens.
For me, the natural world is a soothing balm for my soul. I feel so lucky to have this beauty all around me. This was the sunset that the Labraduo and I saw within an hour of my depressing doctor's appointment. Woo!

27 comments:

  1. I can almost feel the quiet peace of being under the canopy of the Aspens. Beautiful photographs again.

    I'm not sure whether or not there are more skunks around this year or if they are just being more careless crossing the road. When I traveled the 9 miles to town today I counted at least 5 road-killed skunks.

    I am so sorry about the not-so-good news about your back. I'm sending positive vibes from my mountains to yours.

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  2. Pepe le pew-eeee! They are so pretty, but soooo stinky. Our Dad and some of our Shepherd siblings got sprayed on hikes. Yuk!

    Those golden aspens are so amazing! Nothing like them!

    Wishing you the best with your spinal issues!

    The Road Dogs & Mom

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  3. Pawsome peaceful beautiful pic as usual. I am at a loss for words. You say it all so well and your posts renew me. SO sorry to hear your spine is bothering you so much and wishing you good news when you go for your MRI. Will keep my fingers crossed and the furkids will keep their paws crossed and wish you well.
    Love and wags
    Ernie,Sasha,Chica,Lucas & M Barb

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  4. You worry us, yet you bring such joy. Beautiful ride through the aspens...thanks for takiing us all along.

    As hard as it must be, keep keeping the positive attitude.

    Love
    Bert

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  5. We are all with you, thinking of you, hoping and praying for your back to be healed enough so that you can continue your joyfilled rides with K and R.

    Blessings,

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  6. Bert's comment echoes our feelings. We are so sorry you didn't have a good visit, and yet look at you, lifting our spirits with those glorious photos. All the very best from us for your spinal issues. We will be thinking lots of good thoughts for you.

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  7. P U...skunkers! ;) Mom and me is sendin' you lots of luv and healin' prayers tonight.

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae

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  8. oh my beautiful...a stinkerwas walking down the street with a yogurt cup on his head, mom ran over pulled it off and ran...she is nutty
    Benny & Lily

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  9. Wow! I think I would be able to move in all that stunning glory! lol I would just want to stand there and soak it all in forever!

    Sorry to hear about your spine troubles. We hope you find the answer you are looking for.

    Peace.

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  10. The golden aspen groves are incredible. I felt warm and happy just looking at the picture - can't imagine what it is like to really be there!

    Sending lots of good thoughts and healing wishes for your spine.

    Your pal, Pip

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  11. I feel it KB,,I feel you us racing down the trial through the aspens,, just like you said!
    Thank you for that!

    That little stinker,, well it is good that he did not do the stink dance.

    We are sending postive thoughts to you and your spine issues,, my moms know, how medical issues can bring you down, yet,, YOU always show us the silver lining.
    love
    tweedles

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  12. Holy moly--those are some incredible photos! You are really making me miss Colorado--nothing like those Aspens. You remind me that I need to go check out the leaves in the Shenandoahs while they're still in their full glory.

    Many warm healing thoughts for your spine.

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  13. I love me some stinkers! I like all of those critters that folks tend to shy away from or dislike (probably why I like snakes and coyotes so much too :) ). That spotted is particularly cool to get a photo of!

    I hope you feel well and continue to feel well for years and years to come, KB!!

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  14. At times like these I hope the serenity and balance that your environment offers is like a cocoon from life's arrows. Our strongest White Dog Energies for health and strength are being sent your way. And our positive thoughts gently float over your golden aspens. It gives us comfort to know that you, like momma and dad, always have a supportive and loving pack. Be well and at peace.

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  15. For a moment I thought stinkers was a reference to the people who've caused problems with your wildlife cameras. Then I read on . Wonder why there are no skuns outside the Americas ?

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  16. Rimadyl really is a great drug for our friends, isn't it?

    So sorry about the spine news. We know you will handle whatever happens with grace as always, but we wish you didn't have to.

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  17. I am wishing you good thoughts with your spine. It sounds discouraging.

    But the beautiful grove of yellow trees is, indeed, a wonderful sight.

    Mango Momma

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  18. We are very suddenly overrun with skunks at our place, too. There must be a population explosion or something - the dogs have been sprayed once and have had several more very close calls, and now can't go out in their own yard off-leash any time after dark. The skunks have dug up half the yard, plus they poop everywhere, and apparently if you are a dog, skunk poop is fabulous for rolling in. I've seen at least 5 distinct individual skunks in our fenced yard.

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  19. the aspen grove is stunningly beautiful....
    hope the MRI gives you some good news.....i wish i could give you a whole new spine....
    great pics of the skunk and the rabbit hunters...
    I've been following daily coyote for some time....interesting story...
    xoxo

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  20. I knew the spine news was coming eventually; you've been hinting around about it for a while. I'm so sad and discouraged that the news was not upliftning, but so happy for your positive attitude and effort to state sane. Love the stinker photos. I have come across them a few times while hiking and once on my bike. Thankfully, I think they give the alarm first before they actually spray. From what I've heard, they don't like the scent any more than we do, so they try to save it for last defense. Is was cool to see the different markings on them!

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  21. I think it would be hard to be depressed with such beautiful surroundings. You live in one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, and your love for it shows through in your photos and words. I had to smile over the idea of the skunk showing off his tail to the camera!

    I'm sorry you've had bad news. I hope that the MRI can give you some better answers or ideas about where you're headed. Please know I'm thinking of you!

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  22. Hi Y'all,

    Love the fast race through the Aspen grove and the way you captured the sunlight. I've tried often to capture the magic, but haven't found the right settings to keep the sun from looking white and washed out where it hits.

    What a fantastic sunset!

    You are in my prayers as you face your medical decisions.

    Y'all come back now,
    BrownDog's Human

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  23. So good to have Nature to rejuvenate. PU - I bet it's smelly where Petunia the skunk visited. You may have to move the camera! Good Luck with the MRI.

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  24. You truly do have such amazing breathtaking beauty all around you. While we can find beauty no matter where we live, I do find myself envious of your surroundings! Beautiful crisp Autumn photos, love the "trusty paw!" Truly Wordless Wednesday shots, there are just no words mighty enough to describe these pics! So glad K 's foot is OK. No more scares!

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  25. Stay away from those stinkers K and R!! I'm sorry to read that your back is bothering you so. I hope there is relief for it in your near future!! Fingers crossed for ya.

    Your photos of the aspen groves are amazing! I've never seen anything like that here, and can just imagine how it must be magical to walk that path.

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  26. I LOVE spotted skunks..so pretty.

    That photo of the Divide should be framed..or in magazines..something!!

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