Feline Friday - Mountain Lions in Closeup

Thanks so much for all of your kind comments yesterday. It's scary to make a leap like this one but I think that it will be a good choice. As you know, I am very attached to the wildlife who I follow. I will keep following the ones who I know so well, and I feel confident that I'll get to know new animals at our new place. It's actually better wildlife habitat than here but it will take time for me to learn where the animals reside.

Our mountain lions are awing me. For reasons that aren't clear to me, they are coming closer and closer to my trail cams to mark. Then, other lions want to sniff their markings so they come close too.

I usually set up my cams 15-20' from where I expect that the animals will appear. They are marking within a few feet of the cams (or 1' in one case).

It is really fun to see them so closeup. I think that this is one of our Toms.

He was close enough that we can see his drool!

Check out the video if you have time. It's the only time that you ever want to see mountain lions so close!

Thankful Thursday - The Next Grand Adventure

The pandemic has accelerated change in so many aspects of life - including in the forest near our house. It is hard to find times of day when it's okay to have dogs off-leash because there are people everywhere on the land. Because I'm out early with Shyla and she's such a meek being, she has the best chance of off-leash time.

While nature itself hasn't changed here, the impact of humans on our world has escalated dramatically. Twenty years ago, this spot was paradise. We could wander out into the nearby meadow and peacefully hike without running into anyone except perhaps an elk. Road noise was minimal - we never noticed it on our dusty dirt road. People who chose to live here did so for quiet and nature.  So much has changed.

So, we had a talk back in May on our wedding anniversary, and we decided that we wanted to spend the rest of our marriage someplace quieter and closer to nature. Amazingly, we found the right place in an online listing the very next day - making me feel as if it was destiny. We are "under contract" for a large plot of land (and a house) about 40 minutes to the north of here - and I'm starting to believe that the purchase is actually going to close (it's taking forever!). It is a place where even Hachi can have off-leash time every single day.

I never thought that we would leave this spot that we've loved so much. A piece of me is very sad about it - and especially about the friends who will no longer live within walking distance. However, the place has changed around us (and against our will) while we've tried to ignore the noise and "crowds". Inertia isn't a good enough reason to stay. So we are embarking on our next grand adventure.

And, our new home will be close enough that I can continue to keep tabs on the animals who I know so well. That's very important to me.

I am thankful that we've found the courage to do this. Of course, the deal still has to close, and something could go wrong. But, no matter what, it's time for a new adventure.

Wordless Wednesday

Beautiful Bathing Bears

On a hot summer day, I love watching trail cam videos of beautiful bears bathing almost as much as they love taking their baths.

The most popular bathing hole for bears has two marking trees near it. The bears tend to dance at these trees either on their way to the water or as they leave. In this video, I included the footage of them at the trees as well as during their baths.

My favorite parts include them blowing bubbles when their noses are blow the water and how they "clean" their heads with their paws as they bathe.

Enjoy the video!

The Hachi Chronicle

Whenever we can, we let Hachi and Shyla play together. They seize each day that they have a chance to play.

One evening when they played in a grassy meadow, Hachi started sneezing violently, one sneeze after another. My heart fell because I thought that it was a foxtail up his nose. That's a serious matter that can require a rapid visit to the vet.

As he continued sneezing, my mind started racing ahead. We'd have to take him to the emergency vet, muzzle him, and then he'd have to go into the hospital by himself (due to Covid precautions). My mind then visualized how terribly the vet visit would affect him especially without us being by his side. The emotional trauma would probably set us back months in his behavioral rehab. I then started fervently sending up requests to the heavens that he'd sneeze out the foxtail without needing to go to the vet.

As he kept on sneezing, I started wondering if there are things that can be done to help a dog like Hachi not be so completely terrified by a vet visit and then suffer for months afterwards. A few days later, when we talked with our behavioral vet, she said that yes, there's a protocol for pups as fearful as Hachi. It involves immediate complete sedation with specific amnesiac drugs before they even examine him at the vet hospital. She said that she'd write us a letter to take with us on an emergency visit to the vet to increase the chances that the ER vet would actually do it.

I was glad that there is a protocol for a dog like Hachi. I was a little surprised that I had to ask for instructions (rather than them being offered a long time ago when the degree of his fear became obvious). Regardless, I'm glad that there's an option.

On that evening walk, Hachi sneezed out whatever was in his nose so it didn't end with a fast trip to the vet. Instead, he got to play some more with Shyla. Phew - that was a close call.

I know that someday, he'll need a visit to the ER vet, and I'm glad that we'll be a little bit more prepared so that he doesn't have repercussions for months afterwards.

We love our Hachi, fearfulness and all.

Black Dog Sunday

It was a good week for our Black Dog. He enjoyed lots of runs and hikes. He barks with happiness or anticipation of good things a couple of times each day.

Much of this is thanks to CBD oil which has put the spring back in his step. We are learning that he needs it within a few hours of a run or hike for it to help. By fine tuning the timing of it, he's been happy about most outings.

One night when we went to see Comet Neowise, we brought our Black Dog. It was so wonderful that he wanted to do the short hike with us to see it. The Runner brought a La Fuma chair to recline while watching. Our Black Dog climbed up onto it, lying on the Runner's lap to enjoy the night.

The only hitch was when law enforcement was trying to make all the comet-watchers leave. We humans were trying to stay below the radar. Our Black Dog heard all the activity and started barking. Fortunately, no one noticed before we quieted him down. He's not a "stealth" dog!

Happy Black Dog Sunday!

Shyla Saturday

Who else could this be other than Shyla (and Comet Neowise)?

This is a composite image, meaning that I captured Shyla howling in one exposure and then captured the comet in another exposure. I could not find a boulder with a view in the direction of the comet to do this in a single exposure. Believe me, I searched and searched.

By combining the two exposures, I could make this image. It fits my vision perfectly.

Shyla is my muse, my model, and my best friend.

The Voice of a Bobcat

My trail cams have heard a lot of mountain lion caterwauling over the past year. In contrast, our bobcats have been mute. That recently changed.

Starting around mid-June, a bobcat first let out a "meow" in front of a cam. She sounded just like a house cat. Then, later that night in June, that bobcat started calling in earnest. She yelled and yelled.

She was still calling in mid-July much to my surprise.

I first thought that perhaps she had lost her kittens and was trying to call them. This is the time of year when this particular bobcat usually brings her kittens out onto the trail to move them to a new den, and I've had no kitten sightings. I tend to doubt that she'd continue calling over three weeks if it was mis-placed kittens.

Another thought is that she's in estrus. That would be unusual - bobcat estrus is usually in February or so here. Over the many years that I've had trail cams, I've never seen a bobcat looking for a mate in mid-July. However, the literature says that it's possible.

I hope that the reason becomes clear from trail cam footage. Maybe she'll be kind enough to bring her mate to show to one of my cams!

Check out the short video if you have time!

Thankful Thursday

Earlier this week, we visited a huge open area near the Continental Divide. We wanted to see Comet Neowise in this dark and picturesque setting. We brought along our Black Dog as a special treat for him and because we are so happy that he can hike again.

We'd seen the comet from other places. Due to light from towns, it was hard to spot with the naked eye. When we arrived in this mountain spot, it was completely different. The comet was bright and big - and it was gorgeous over the mountains. And it had zillions of other stars twinkling around it.

We settled in to take in the beauty. Some other people were doing the same thing. A comet overhead draws people outdoors to see it. Then, a sheriff's deputy arrived. Unbeknownst to us, the area was supposed to close at 10PM. He made almost everyone leave but he didn't see us sitting quietly a fair distance from the parking lot.

I did have to wonder, with all of the problems in our world right now, why was law enforcement so concerned with stopping people from quietly watching the sky? I'll never know the answer.

Having been overlooked, we stayed a while longer, soaking up the glory of Mother Nature. And,  for that, I am so grateful.

Wordless Wednesday - Comet Neowise

The comet seemed to be pointed straight at our little world.

Nature never ceases to wow me!

Bear Cubs On their Own

Do you remember our tiny bear cubs from last year - Brownie and Blackie? They were a colorful pair last summer. They played crazily, with Brownie mostly winning their play fights.

They split from their mom back in May. She had several beaus during mating season so she is now fattening up to give birth to cubs this winter.

Meanwhile, both of the yearling cubs are still in the area. Brownie is definitely a male - his favorite thing in the world is marking trees! In contrast, Blackie (now called "May Belle") has never marked a tree. She loves baths, just like her mom does.

The great thing about May Belle being a female is that she will stay in the area. We need more sows as we have about a 10:1 male to female ratio. I hope that she grows up safely and that we get to watch her for a long time.

Both cubs appear to be confident and are navigating the world on their own really well. They are not together - which is not too surprising because Brownie was quite a bully to his sister. However, my cams have picked up footage of both of them over the past month.

It's fun to see them growing up. Enjoy the video.

The Hachi Chronicle

Hachi had another great week. Watching him open up, ask for affection, be playful, and be confident - all normal things for most dogs - fills my heart. I didn't realize how shut down he was previously until he began to change. I think that he is happier than he's ever been.

During the day, he sometimes comes to me to request affection or play. He and I have lots of spontaneous fun. It used to be that I had to work hard to draw him out of his shell. Not anymore.

One of his favorite things in the world, just as it's always been, is playing with his sister in wide open fields. They both play with utter abandon. We are still having some trouble finding times when the trail system near us is quiet enough for them to play - but we have a plan to improve that situation.

I love when I have a happy report about Hachi. We love him.

Black Dog Sunday - A Turnaround

Our Black Dog had a jaw-dropping turnaround this week after struggling with pain. We had a phone conference with his vet mid-week. Due to a lack of other good options, we asked about CBD oil and whether it might help R's pain and possibly his reticence to try things since becoming blind.

Our vet said that it was worth a try. She suggested a couple of CBD companies, and I immediately ordered some CBD oil from them. But, it seemed like it was going to be slow in getting here.

Then, I remembered that I'd purchased some veterinary CBD oil a while ago but decided not to use it. I dug it out, and it hadn't expired yet. So, I gave some to R that very day.

The change in him was miraculous. Suddenly, R was ZOOMING on walks, including our evening trail hikes. I was having to hustle to keep up with him! Then, he enthusiastically RAN for 20 minutes the day after starting CBD.

This naturally skeptical person is convinced that CBD has some amazing effects. I didn't want to be too negative in last week's Black Dog Sunday (pre-CBD) but R seemed almost depressed. I think that severe pain on top of being newly blind was really weighing down his spirit.

His spirit is back to its usual buoyant state. He's a happy dog, and we humans are overjoyed.

It is indeed a HAPPY Black Dog Sunday.

Shyla Saturday

Loyal is one of the first words that comes to mind when I think about Shyla.

She will loyally pose for me for as long as I ask her to.

And she loyally covers my back whenever I have the camera to my eye, even if I'm photographing a thunder cloud.

She will run to me when I call her as many times as I ask her to. She seems to understand this silly photography game, and she participates with her whole heart.

Most people don't understand Shyla, not at all. She is sometimes meek when out in the world. But she's not meek when it comes to living in our family and expressing her love for all of us. She is a bonding force within our family, pulling all the canine members together.

Happy Shyla Saturday.