Surviving Flowers

I planted Ajuga reptans a couple years ago on the hill next to my parking area. I thought it would provide a pretty border between the road and the native plants above. That summer was extremely dry and hot, and the winters have been cold. Between harsh weather and bunny intrusion, I thought it had all died. Now a small patch has reappeared and is blooming nicely. Hello, and welcome.

Ellensburg

Hitchhiker

I opened up the van to get hay, and found this little guy! He didn't seem concerned in the least with my presence.

When I started moving hay around he scurried up towards the front of the van, under some of the bales. Probably not a good move on his part. Hopefully he'll find his way back out again.

A friend has identified this little guy as an Alligator Lizard - the only lizards that live in this area.

More Zander

My beautiful puppy, being his energetic self.

Sudden Growth

The world has gone from brown to green. Grass was 3" high one day, 3' the next. It is totally amazing. I've been cutting tall canary grass from the side of the lane for the horses. Bear grabbed a mouthful and then stuck his head out to be pet. He's a very social horse.

Driving Home

I live on a very busy lane. There are only two houses and neither of us drive much, but the lane is usually occupied. Coming home today I met this view.

The peacock is displaying to the neighbor's car, just to the left.  Further along is a peahen and a donkey.

Two peahens, it turns out, and Polly the Donkey. Polly doesn't usually move off the road just because there's a car coming up it. She must have been heading for this patch of grass.

Isn't she adorable?

She's working herself up to a bray...

And is here in full voice. It's never dull on Ravenwood Lane.

Jesse Holds His Own

Jesse, 60 lb, 12 year old Samoyed is the only one of my dogs willing to go head to head (in play) with Zander, 100 lb, 11 month old Anatolian. He'll even take food away from Zander, which is an amazing feat. I love watching them play, they are both so obviously happy.

The Illusive Goose

One of my trios of geese has been missing a member. For some time I've only seen two of them, the third no where to be found.

The remaining two hang out together - but one mud puddle isn't big enough for both of them.

This puddle is only a few inches deep. It's amazing how a goose can make it look like a small pond.

As I came back from the mud puddle area, I noticed my neighbor mowing his lawn and stopped to say hi. He waved me into the yard. While mowing, he found Goose #3, just beyond his fence, sitting on a nest of goslings! She found a safe area surrounded by old cages and the fence, and obviously well protected from the ravens. Goslings! Clever goose.

Sunny Day Sunset

A Big Leaf Maple, just leafing out, lit up by the setting sun.

Golden setting sun, shining bright.

Lovely sunset, from the highway.

Growing Cats

I try to grow flowers in this pan, but they usually either dry out over the summer or someone eats them. Groucho seems to think I put it there for her. She's watching me dig in what passes as my garden.

Found in the Woods

Braken Fern and Skunk Cabbage

Lots of fern and cabbage

Native strawberries!

More strawberries

A drift of Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts all over - they make a beautiful ground cover 

A New Type of Cloud Cover

The sky is pretty clear, but the mountain is covered in clouds - and yet it stands out as much as usual. I'm endlessly fascinated by the cloud formations around mountains!

Zander's Storage Bin

Getting To Know You

Bear, my social butterfly, coming up to meet Ken.

Zander, learning that cats are for more than chasing.

Alpaca, coming to see if they can have some of the hay I'm tossing to the horses. This is the first time they've come this close to me (as opposed to me walking up to them).

Scenes from a Sunny Day

Just another member of the flock...