Hang dog or dog tired- photos from 1-27

[t was such an unusual day. We started out with misty cool weather. It almost rained (just a few sprinkles) on us at the beginning of our walk. The sun came out off and on during the middle of the day. Later the sunset was incredible - piles of billowing clouds white, blue, and purple back-lit by the yellow-white sunlight against a pink and orange sky. Then tonight the full moon hung low - huge in the sky.

I am glad to be alive every day. But some days nature just slaps you in the face and reminds you just how beautiful it is.]

Only photos of grey sky here, but watch for other reminders of how wonderful our wild spaces are.

Our day at the springs:



Some specimens of dried grass are simply beautiful.

Porcupine eggs (AKA cocklebur (Xanthium)

This is too funny a photo not to include again. Hugo spied a dog treat someone dropped.



Cookie? What cookie? I didn't see a cookie...nom, nom, nom...

Scruffy and Paddy prepare to take-off into the field.



They never strayed much further than this.

TDW brags on Ruby. All the pups returned when called.

Rock out-cropping at the edge of the meadow.

Where are Stanley and Hugo?

Who is that way over there?

Stanley heads over. Ruby looks on.

I noticed the carving on the trees and was trying to get a photo. Instead I captured the noble Stanley.

TDW heads off with Ruby

Ruby flies across the field.

Ruby slows enough for another picture. She only poses for TDW.



Where are we going?

Sweet Scruffy (and Hugo)

Wet dog.

Paddy

Paddy gets a second wind - resting on TDW.

A conspiracy of the brown dogs.



Good smells down here.



We are almost a parade.

Dogs take the lead on our way to the cliffs.



Round and round we go...



Walking along the creek is a little easier than the cliff trail in a couple of spots.

TDW whispering (with Paddy and Hugo)



Scruff.

Rock fall.

Unusual trunks along the trail.



There are trees that have fallen all over this property. The roots of some seem to be grasping up at us as we pass.

Another fallen tree with hand-like roots near a yucca (?).

Yet another.

I bet I take this same photo every time I walk this path. I love the vines hanging across the trail.



Ferns dry in a crevice in the wall of the cliff.



Maiden hair fern showing the signs of the latest stretch of dry weather.



Turkey feather (?) on the path

Pool at the bottom of some springs.

Close-up of the tiny waterfall.

Padimus and Scrufimus wade through the pool.

Hugo, Stanley and Ruby about to take a swim.

Closeup of the dogs jumping in the pool.

Upper springs and smaller pool.



Scruffy and Paddy team-up to explore the cliff.

The over-hang showed signs of people spending time here...trash and paint...

Graffiti (Fools names and fools faces...)



Small cave. The dogs explored a number of these.

Paddy scrambles up the rocks.

TDW doesn't trust me as I climb up on the rocks with the dogs. "I always skip places that look like that. What would I do if I sprained an ankle?" he says.  I respond that I am being careful. Really!

Hugo jumps down from the rock-fall.

Did you see that jump?

Is this what you call "hang dog"? Is this maybe "dog tired"?



Fallen rocks create hiding places for all kinds of creatures.

Water seeps through the ledge at the top of the cliff creating holes. [Eventually the holes weaken the ledge and the weakened outcropping falls.]

No, you may not eat my lunch, guys.

I have treats for you, but you have to sit first.



Guests eat, then the rest. (Ruby waits patiently.)

Love those treats!

Notes: Sorry about the ferns and vines and a few other things I will take photos of over an over again as I love them every time I see them.

I hope to remember to tell more about the heron (flew away as the dogs got to the pond) and the burr oak tree (found the acorn caps, but not sure where the trees are - I know them by their leaves and everything is bare right now.).