White sentinel

Still sporting a respectable snow cap, Mt Baker (also known as Kulshan or "white sentinel") is holding up its end as the perfect postcard shot. While yesterday's visibility was hampered with a layer of haze, our county sentinel, one of the snowiest places on the globe, is an eye-catching draw even at the end of summer.

I'm guessing the climate change deniers might have to reevaluate their position if Kulshan starts looking like Kilimanjaro - and we'd all be in a heap of trouble.

Squirrel country

It was a perfect day for a side trip to Squirrel Country. Lots of time on our hands and plenty of wide open spaces to let Casey go full-throttle on a favorite pasttime in one of his favorite places, chasing everything from chipmunks to squirrels.

Bayview Cemetery may not be the best locale for tossing a Frisbee but it's made for airing it out going after tree squirrels, before they herd the herder to the bases of oaks and elms, scurrying up and just out of reach.

It's all in good fun, and very respectful. And Casey has never even come close. Obviously just in it for the thrill of the chase.

Bumper crop?

Well, look what's coming in...finally. Victoria's tomato crop began to look like a lost cause when summer was almost a no-show this year. But when a seasonally warm August came on strong, with a couple of weeks of temperatures hovering around 80 degrees, her Big Beefs and Cherry tomatoes started to make a comeback. And now they're coming on strong.

Snug

When it comes to spacial optimization no one can hold a candle to our boy. If he sees an opportunity to curl up, any space bigger than a bread box will do.

So it's not like Vic's going to be able to curl up with only a good book. There's always enough room, even when there isn't, for a lump of Border Collie. 

 

Garden pose, while they last

A way about her

A bayside walk with Casey usually begins with a friendly reminder to not wander off. Or better yet, to not even think about a quick roll in some seaside stink when our backs are turned. The kid's usually all ears when Victoria - "Mom" - lays down the ground rules.  

Dusk dazzle

Tonight we thought we'd drive up to the aptly named Samish Highlands, where the "haves" are buying up 50 new lots with views that take your breath away. Before long 99 percenters like us are going to feel like we'll need to show our papers to take shots like this. But for now, sunset was there for the taking. 

All focus in backlight

A wimp.com share

Love-junky dogs like this Lab just will not be denied a cuddle. Couldn't help but see a lot of Casey in this clip, in the way this dog reacts to little kids. Beautiful.

Morning walk with a tag-a-long

Just the suggestion of a morning walk will light Casey up. And sometimes it just feels right to bring along today's favorite stuffed toy. Hey...whatever.

Still time to take notice

Lacecap Hydrangea

It's incredible what we can take for granted this time of year in our luscious corner of the world, easily numbed by varietals of flora by July. By mid-August the truth sets in as seasonals begin to wither. This is one beauty though that cannot be ignored, arrayed last weekend, in spite of the dog days of summer, at the Seattle home of our friend, and Casey's surrogate mom, Marsha.  

Working the breakfast crowd

Notice how Casey is working the breakfast crowd, mainly Victoria in this photo? How can anyone resist those piercing eyes? This routine is pure DNA, and Casey can not only turn on the charm, but look straight through a diner for just one...tiny...handout. Or better yet, a plate cleanup.

High on a hill

Grandkids Kaya and Silas at Artist Point, Mt Baker Ski Area

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

                                                                                                             Thomas Paine

Back home

After a few days away from home, Casey looks like he's reacclimating nicely.

Dental docile

When it comes to dental hygiene Casey would probably be a lot more diligent about it if he had opposable thumbs. But he is pretty laid back about it anyway and usually let's us have our way with him. 

Proximity to his Frisbee helps too.

That's a good boy.

Break from the heat

Stella really knows how to take advantage of a break in the heat, languishing in prone pleasure with the shades all the way up. After four or five days with temperatures pushing 90 degrees, the house has been buttoned up, with shades drawn, and fans on high.

Today, and for the rest of the week, partly cloudy and 70 degrees. Now that's our Bellingham summer...why we rarely leave this time of year. What for?

   

Now you see it

This morning as I was reaching for my camera to get a shot of a spider's overnight array of webbing, a wasp struck my photo op in Alien fashion, minus the acid drool. After hours of weaving a silken web to entangle an oblivious winged insect, this unsuspecting arachnid couldn't have known what hit him.







And this solitary predator left no trace of its prey, gone in less than a minute. 


It was over so fast that I didn't know who to root for, except possibly Mother Earth, with a hint of sympathy for the eight-legged underdog that didn't feel a thing.

An afternoon at the squirt park

It looks like summer finally got here - along with the good and the wet of it. As most of us know, Border Collies are just not that crazy about water. So where do we go with the grandkids, Fairhaven Park and its water park - better known as "squirt park" to the kids.



Back in the day, this recreational feature was a huge, ankle-deep wading pool for kiddies, and believe me, there was absolutely no danger of hypothermia with this age-group.

 

Casey's fragile tolerance for crowds was put to an acid test with preschoolers doting on him from all directions, all afternoon. He usually pours on the charm for one or two mom's and their toddlers, but today they were everywhere and he still did just fine.










And what a good kid. As usual he passed with flying colors, and just a few feet from sopping wet.

Victoria and Casey catching UVs

Up on the roof

During a pause in the morning routine today I caught Casey consumed with the sunroom roof. The way he was foccusing skyward it wouldn't have been too much of a surprise to catch him eye-balling a Red-tailed hawk cutting lazy figure eights overhead.

But no, just a wayward pigeon. Not so much raptor as raptee.

And once this girl noticed she was the center of attention, she was out of here.

Hey...life in the fast lane.