Dog Days of Fall

I know the saying is 'Dog Days of Summer' but, sadly, summer is over for this year.  However, thankfully, 'dog days' are not.  It's been awhile since either of my grand-dogs have been on the blog so today they are going to get equal time. 

Fall dog days are actually quite pleasant.  They can be foggy to start off...

Then the sun starts breaking thru.

By the end of our walk, it can be quite nice, with just a little fog left in the valley.

Or other mornings, there isn't any fog, but the sky is overcast.

The leaves are very beautiful, no matter what the weather.

In this same spot on a different day... with a different dog -- there was a flock of wild turkeys.

If you look carefully in the direction Mac is looking you can see them!
I think they were wondering what was going to happen...

Mac was a good dog and stayed with me.  He didn't chase after them.  

Ruby is a good dog, too... she says she wouldn't have chased turkeys, either.  That's right, Ruby, because you are on your leash!

I do enjoy the differences between these two doggies.  In appearance, you can see the obvious!  In personalities and actions they are different, too.

Mac is more exuberant and Ruby is more sedate.  Of course, Ruby is also older than Mac. 

Although Ruby can still be playful at times, she tends to lean more toward the 'noble' attitude.

 Whereas Mac just loves to run, no matter what he looks like.

They do have one thing in common, they both love to sniff around on our walks.

By this burning bush must be a good spot.

Oh, and they have something else in common.... they both like to take a nap after we get back!

Black and Red

Colors of the day are.... black and red!

Beginning with this red-winged blackbird who arrived at our bird table this morning.  It's the only one I've seen so far this year, but maybe he's a vanguard and more are on the way back from Central America?  Before long, we'll probably have dozens of them in the swamp. 

Next black and red of the day.... Mr. Mac!

He came for a visit today, so of course we went for a walk.

It was another good day for making shadows on the snow.  Mac's shadows are bit different than Ruby's.

"I'm glad you are wearing that nice bright red collar and leash, Mac!  You look very handsome!"

We walked to the top of the hill.  Mac could stay right on top of the snow.  Walking wasn't quite as easy for me.  Sometime I could stay on top and other times not!

Mac is pretty much the total opposite to Ruby in looks, but he likes to keep track of scents along the way almost as much as Ruby.

Heading back, we hear the lone red-winged blackbird singing "O-ka-leeee" near the thicket by the spring.  That's a good place for him, as the beaver swamp is still completely frozen over.

Next thing we hear are some robins chirping!  There is a small flock of them in a wild apple tree.

Have you seen a robin yet this year? There's one in the next photo... see if you can find it:

A closer look:

I know, it looks like a fat apple with a beak, but it's a robin!  There it goes....

There are more though...  this one looks like it has its eye on that apple.

 Here's another one-- with a 'prize' apple on the ground:

It was busy pecking at it, as Mac and I got closer and closer.

 "This is MY apple!"

"Mine!!!"

"You can have your apple.  Mac and I will go back inside.  It's still pretty cold here, after all.  WHY did you come back here from the warm south?"  

Oh, you say, "Spring is coming!"  Great, we're all ready!

And Mac and I will watch for birds from inside the window-- where it's warm!

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