Taking flight/flutter

Survivor 1

Exactly 13 days after they hatched two chicks were left standing, or falling/fluttering from the nest. All that remained were pieces of two hatchlings, evidently done in during the night by whatever critter does that sort of thing, before the parents could chase them off. It's a tough world out there.So for now, according to the county Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, our chicks will be hanging around the backyard until they take flight for good.  

Survivor 2

In the meantime we get our deck back. Of course when we venture out on the grass the new parents will be keeping close eyes on us, and of course Casey. He was actually nose to beak with the first chick to exit the nest, in a Border Collie crouch, just trying to help. 

So we can add robin fledglings to the kid's list of "herdees," which also includes Stella and an occasional chipmunk.

Papa robin keeping a watchful eye

   

Quick checkup

Hanging around a veterinary clinic waiting room, not one of Casey's favorite preoccupations. In fact we usually wait in the car until the last minute before bringing him inside. He's definitely not a tugger or pacer, but he can't just sit around, usually jumping up a seat next to ours - or higher - to pass the time. 

And today, why would he stop there?

I'm fine right here, thanks.

 The window ledge was obviously the reassurance he needed.

So much for morning on the deck

With temperatures starting to inch up, eventually hitting nearly 80° today, the kids have obviously had enough of coffee on the deck. 

Beyond cute, really

Just over a week now and our porch chicks are no less demanding, and now showing signs of progressing through that "so-ugly-they're cute" stage. In the meantime their beleaguered parents have been fending off crows and delivering worms every waking hour. That empty-nest syndrome has got to be looking good about now.

Long day, kiddo

Golden overgrowth

Just eleven days from the May 17th post about our buttercup invasion.  The overgrowth is now chest high in areas, with Casey occasionally getting swallowed up during his excursions.  Amazing.

Newbies come through in the "clutch"

Big day today. We knew something was going on in the robin clutch. Mama was in and out all day, and Papa was no longer scarce, showing up on the fence and yard. So...I took a peek. Inquiring minds needed to know, and the new mom hadn't seemed to mind us being up close and personal so far. And whaddaya know...

Three chicks. At least three so far...I didn't want to hang around or be too intrusive. 






And Casey was pretty excited about it as anyone can see, as well as plainly hear in the video clip.

Good morning, little Mama.

Don't mind us, girl. We're just passing through, and we'll try to keep the noise to a minimum.

One week down

Four American robin eggs (bottom of mirror)

Just an update to our Sunday post on the robin roost

So, all's well, and Mama Robin seems OK with her current nesting situation, in such close proximity to a loud collection of cohabitants.  We thought she'd be long gone after Casey burst out of the back door one time or barked to be let back in.

One week down, one to go before the fledglings appear.

Golden meadow invasion

Right on schedule, and seeming to arrive almost overnight, our neighborhood meadows, even lawns, are flush with golden carpets of buttercups. This brilliant Northwest version, the Creeping buttercup, is one of many welcome additions to Bellingham's many emerging wildflower mosaics.

Sunday songbird serendipity

Well, this is a first. Of all the potential roosts available among our yard's shade trees, a feathered family is now being raised on Casey's back porch. Obviously the parents' peril meters didn't register the first indication of a threat.

We first noticed this robin's unperturbed brooding when Casey and Stella seemed to be preoccupied at the back windows with something going on outside. And today, instead of the new mom taking flight, she let us get a good look at her as she stepped out to stretch her legs.

Now, with another month to go before the fledglings leave our deck for good, it looks like the newness could already be starting to wear off, at least as far as Casey is concerned.

Favorite Friday Harbor photo

Keeping an eye on Vic

All abuzz in lavender

One stop during our stay on San Juan Island last weekend had to be the Pelindaba Lavender Farm. A spring visit is a must and this season's outrageous display of blooming lavender was spread like a quilted heliotrope.

The lavendula varieties were impressive enough, but the countless bees, some drones Jurassic-sized, were working overtime. The Spanish lavender below was abuzz with foragers.

Turning on the charm, or playing the sympathy card

Anacortes Ferry Terminal with Mt Baker in background

So what's the first thing drivers do before boarding a ferry for San Juan Island - check in with an aloof, no-nonsense Washington State Ferry ticket seller. And today was no different, except that Casey was working this WSF lady employee for a treat while we were busy paying our fare. Of course, what's new...just another kiosk with a potential doggie handout.


Except this time our lady was so moved by Casey working her for a treat, that she closed down long enough to run to her car - holding up the ticket line - to bring back a bag of goodies.

Who could blame her? Just look at that Border Collie stare finesse.

Very impressive, Casey. But don't expect it with the next shift. A cat person just might be on duty.

Shade break

Breakout blues and greens

Finally, after the sun quit skulking around behind what was left of some scattered middle clouds, the nearby greenbelt broke out in its customary spring luminance.




In a month the grasses will be as high as a Border Collie's eye, but today we just meandered off-trail and took it all in.

Easter service

Happy Easter, Springtime, Oester whatever!

He is obviously not risen.

Waiting room jitters

Over the weekend Casey scratched an ear, and home first aid wasn't doing much to help the irritation and obvious inflammation so we had to get it checked out by a vet. Infection is not a friend.

Now an unscheduled visit to the veterinary clinic is probably one of Casey's least favorite ways to start out his day. Casey's apprehension is clear cut from these pix. 

Whenever he's nervous or has to wait for anything, the only thing that seems to help is to jump up and settle in on a chair, or whatevers close.

The body language is just a hoot.

  

Peeks of pink

During a break in the front yard Frisbee action today we couldn't help but notice that our cherry trees were showing signs of bursting, two to three weeks earlier than last year.  

Like a watched pot though, our blossoms still might take their sweet time before debuting this spring.  

A few days of sunshine certainly couldn't hurt.

Favorite tag

Just had to share this Facebook tag from a couple of days ago.  A unique imgurish shot of a distant relative of Casey.  I've seen this expression, and been moved by it, countless times.

Might as well snooze

The weather really went south today with continuous rain forecasted all day long. 

And of course Casey is using his favorite coping mechanism.

Much-needed spring makeover

Finishing up - Casey in the window.

The kid was getting a little raggedy so guess what, today we made time for him to get his spring haircut.  You'd think Casey would opt out if he had a vote, but he actually enjoys getting cleaned and trimmed.  Well, "enjoys" might be a stretch, but when Melissa Wiltse at Happy Pooch is doing the styling he's OK with it.  He met her years ago when he was a recently rescued puppy, and Melissa has been working her magic ever since.

Looks like Melissa has someone's rapt attention.

Voila! Lookin good...til the next time.

Grayscale repose

Sibs of other mothers in a Saturday night snuggle

Genetic H2O sidestepper

It's been been clear to us from day one that Casey has always had a natural aversion to water. He would just as soon watch his Frisbee float downstream than to even get his pads moist. It so happens though that this trait was identified in an early 1990's genome project.


In 1996, 37 genetic traits were identified and isolated from the offspring of Border Collies and Newfoundlands by researchers Jasper Rine and Elaine Ostrander at the University of California, among these the Newfie love of H2O and the clear cut aversion to it by Border Collies.  By the third generation of this project the resulting grandchildren demonstrated genetic traits of both breeds, very sociable, medium-sized black and white dogs that gave "the eye", fetched on command, and eagerly took to water, to name a few of the more obvious. 

All very impressive, but in the mean time, Casey's not having any part of getting wet, preferring dry sand to romping with Labs.

Therapy dog

How therapeutic is this, a morning hug from The Kid.  A week ago, not so welcome, when a jump on the bed by Casey could have been disastrous, if Vic didn't know it was coming.  The first week or two following knee-replacement surgery couldn't pass quickly enough, but now, most gentle Border Collie disruptions to physical therapy can be the best pain relief ever.

The bluest skies

On crystal clear days like today I can't help but remember a song released back in the 70's called Seattle.  Most Pacific North-westerners are very familiar with its familiar refrain,

 "The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle; and the hills the greenest green... 

Like a beautiful child, growing up, free an' wild etc." 

And you know, it really is true. Well, maybe not in Seattle anymore, but for sure over Bellingham. A ridge of high pressure will dominate for a few days, bringing northerly winds, temperatures dropping below freezing at night, and prevailing visibilities as clear as a bell.

Casey may not look that impressed, but it is nice to have the drizzle let up and the fog move out during winter's last gasp.