Dogs and Sun and Bluffs and Sky

[summer_jackel]

kynekh_amagire and I both have a quantity of puppies for whom throwing at scenery is a very good solution. The spring has been singingly beautiful, and the day before yesterday we enjoyed a long hike.

Here's my favorite pic from the day:






The wild orchids of the redwood forest are very rare, only live in extremely specific habitat and only bloom briefly every year. Seeing one is an experience. Seeing several was downright magical. Unfortunately, they like heavy shade and so are not easy to photograph. But I tried.





The whole plant, in context. It's a tiny little thing, just has one leaf


more


redwood orchids: kind of the ultimate in rare elusive wildflowers.


The pups spent a lot of time bounding. Coba needs air to keep up with big collies!


rampant Coba


The first snake of spring! The first reptile to grace my eye this year was a pretty little fence lizard at Kyn's place, but I was really happy to see this handsome garter. It just occurred to me that we saw him on St. Patrick's...how oddly fitting.






Wild iris...a common flower, but a spectacular one.




The puppies love the bluffs. Bliss and Roo have this great little-puppy, big-puppy friendship forming that just seems to get sweeter and sweeter as Roo grows. Which he is doing at an alarming rate.


Aren't these two lovely, though? Such a nice brace.


pack goes zoom!


Happy Coba


Adolescent denim collie.


I need to find out what these little pink stars in the grass are.


Spring comes to the downs.


Dogs have expressions!


And they can zoom. The name of the puppy game is Eat Bliss. But first you have to catch him.




I am very fond of this collie running sequence. Can he ever move his fluff!






They close in




Air collie
















Lovely vulture. I'm awfully fond of them, as a species and certain individuals in particular. This one gave me some nice photo ops.










OK people, it's time for a round of name that bird! I am of the opinion that this is a Northern Harrier, one of my favorite raptors. Other opinions are welcomed.


Distant/flying bird shots are frustrating, because even with the zoom I usually can't get close enough to the birds for a really good shot. I need some more photographic training so I at least know what lens I CAN use for these. But given that they're crops and taken with the zoom at its farthest reach, I love these. Oh hawkface.





And this pretty is a redtail. The downs are prime hunting territory for raptors, and the list from yesterday is redtail x2, harrier x2-3, Merlin x1, black shouldered kite x1






Here's the kite. I really wish I could have gotten better pics of her; she was gorgeous.


Look at the inner elbow wing markings!


I love this pic a LOT. Redtail and raven.


Puppies are still zooming.


Rooster can...almost...bite!




Iris






Colliepups are speedy!


Rogue is content not to zoom at this point in the walk. Jez didn't go with us because I don't quite trust her to ride in the back of the truck with Luck and Roo, and also because the last time we did this hike it was hard enough on her that I would hesitate to bring her so far again. Rogue won't be able to enjoy this length of hike (it's about 14 miles, perhaps a little less?) for long.



Kyn took this one. The pack and I enjoy Badger Hill, the end of the trail.

Comments

[ladyringo.livejournal.com]

This post made me happy. I had to share it with my coworker who used to show shelties and mini aussies (as always, we're both in love with your dogs!)

She wanted to know what kind of camera you use? We were awed by the photos!

Also! I am sorta thinking about doing a weekender down to NorCal at some point in the next few months. If I get down near you, it would be very cool to say hello. :)

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Yes, let me know when you're going to be around and I'd love to spend some time!!!

Glad you and your coworker like the pics. :) They're taken with a Sony DSLR a2000, in most of these cases with the zoom. Camera's at home and I'm at work, so I'll get the specifics of the lens later.

[ladyringo.livejournal.com]

I will be sure to let you know if I do! :)

[genmaicha.livejournal.com]

Northern Harrier is right. Female, in fact--they come in mottled browns, males are greyed.

Great photos.

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Yay, my bird fu is improving! Glad you like the pics. I love harriers a lot, and am loving them more the more I read about them. I _really_ want to see a harrier pair now. I'll keep my eyes open.

[kynekh-amagire.livejournal.com]

It was a privilege and honor to welcome spring with you. :>

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Same back at you. Such beauty and renewal and sweetness.

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

Audubon and Teddy Roosevelt would be proud :)

The flowers are fantastic. My favourite time of year was when the trilliums were blooming in the woodlot near my school.

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, the trillium are lovely! I didn't see any on this hike, but they prefer the darker redwood canyons. I see them behind my house a lot. SO beautiful.

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

That they are! Don't see them often in urban areas because of their shade preference. They aren't in cultivated gardens often--they aren't available in nurseries much and there are strict regulations on contact with them because they're the provincial flower.

Do you see much lily of the valley? I remember seeing them in the wooded land behind my grandmother's house one year. Gorgeous scent!

[troubleagain.livejournal.com]

I haz a happy, looking at collies and hawks and flowers.

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Yay! Me, too. Those are three things that make me happy for sure.

[zrath.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmmmm, doggehs, the wide open spaces, trees...
I am sooooooo roadtripping as soon as I can.
Hopefully next month.
Need to get out of L.A. for a while.