tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39556644059007041822024-03-14T02:46:14.405-04:00OsceolaFlGardenBlahBlahBlogThe rantings of a weed gardener from Osceola County Florida.Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-25400820587305275552020-05-31T11:49:00.000-04:002020-05-31T14:20:45.866-04:00Dog Product Review: Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl<br />
Dog dig in his water bowl? The Slopper Stopper Dripless Water <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079P8W4RS" target="_blank">Bowl</a> is the perfect solution.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6y6BEU1bbOU/XtPKFvkNeMI/AAAAAAAABAQ/8gCAdN16oQkfL5WqwROs0Z6671QDelKVQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxIaSEYAMsrLfwMtg_j4AqXYd1AvHyFt3snzx5CqsPCvZ9V2Gafu3TkWFRc41nc6hzykXSrOPu0IsGNk4EaIzYsWDr37B2L0OC_qTp745wAZnqbeogcWsQ7S8LQxhPFAxUk0kYVefynghmZf8sQEylFE72B29K8WRsXUeusUEJIbx4jfxhkY3kd5vYWv1Z_kG9YaCsX6G4QwQJ_Jqa4odRGg3KpqcNvQT_gYeGt1k2YNn2N-RVGTDSyp9eBUjjn-spC0pXTmt_OKF6bDCwHUJt7_yN4ljDcAEmfeZg1bH6Mj1COCafqkat-DJMxhxvWAzeqv8bj8CgtXwlX76zFydRnKqYHf6eQbpyBAi9vrCIeIxwWP4WfGulfCtFJ9nv7MfrVcyvD67MWowJ-LWcAEoTPyIT-GMahFbBtKBn6t5uQrVvLUhjIGRBtKauBeKOnkuloRiBLHKY81688FB5qg_Zh0pBfp4EzStLZl7t2tEhpJUicc5P9XFfhv1qe-muncfynqFigJqo6M2epjAbcuWJZFYTLchR6RFEstAzAhwhUvLCKbVcGF5iMROeOsaIpg6qZ9rKTCIgpUzGekvguzkBkQJVwPxq_S4U2MMucz_YF/s1600/beforeslopperstopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6y6BEU1bbOU/XtPKFvkNeMI/AAAAAAAABAQ/8gCAdN16oQkfL5WqwROs0Z6671QDelKVQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxIaSEYAMsrLfwMtg_j4AqXYd1AvHyFt3snzx5CqsPCvZ9V2Gafu3TkWFRc41nc6hzykXSrOPu0IsGNk4EaIzYsWDr37B2L0OC_qTp745wAZnqbeogcWsQ7S8LQxhPFAxUk0kYVefynghmZf8sQEylFE72B29K8WRsXUeusUEJIbx4jfxhkY3kd5vYWv1Z_kG9YaCsX6G4QwQJ_Jqa4odRGg3KpqcNvQT_gYeGt1k2YNn2N-RVGTDSyp9eBUjjn-spC0pXTmt_OKF6bDCwHUJt7_yN4ljDcAEmfeZg1bH6Mj1COCafqkat-DJMxhxvWAzeqv8bj8CgtXwlX76zFydRnKqYHf6eQbpyBAi9vrCIeIxwWP4WfGulfCtFJ9nv7MfrVcyvD67MWowJ-LWcAEoTPyIT-GMahFbBtKBn6t5uQrVvLUhjIGRBtKauBeKOnkuloRiBLHKY81688FB5qg_Zh0pBfp4EzStLZl7t2tEhpJUicc5P9XFfhv1qe-muncfynqFigJqo6M2epjAbcuWJZFYTLchR6RFEstAzAhwhUvLCKbVcGF5iMROeOsaIpg6qZ9rKTCIgpUzGekvguzkBkQJVwPxq_S4U2MMucz_YF/s640/beforeslopperstopper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Slopper Stopper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I adopted Patch, a 6 year old English Setter boy in February 2020. It didn't take long to learn that he loved to play in water....and digging in the water bowl was one of his favorite pastimes. He could clear a bowl and flood the kitchen in 30 seconds flat. Then he would tromp through the puddles with his big muddy paws making for quite a disaster area with potential for dangerous slips and falls.<br />
<br />
I have another dog Max, so limiting the quantity or timing of water placement wasn't a viable option. <br />
<br />
What's a dog mom to do? Well....hit the <a href="http://www.goodsearch.org/" target="_blank">Goodsearch</a> search engine, of course!<br />
<br />
I plugged in "dog digging water bowl" which brought up a few websites suggesting reasons why a dog might dig in the water bowl. Many had behavior modifications or alternate resource suggestions like "give them a kiddie pool if they are hot".....raise the bowl so they can't see their reflection. Buy a fountain....they must like the water moving. <br />
<br />
OY! I could just see the dog, fresh out of the pool dripping the accumulation of water from his 50 lb. frame all around the kitchen pleased there still was an opportunity to dig in the bowl. OR, pulling over a bowl on a raised platform adding distance to his flood capabilities OR batting at the waterfall with his paws to increase trajectory. Not solutions that I had in mind. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZBXC_hcYXI/XtPKlLzFcBI/AAAAAAAABAg/dUNKmA5k7fMmQph6IH6eEVfEea4BtfYtgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxOMeFQq7B2bZswBEnm0lhVSo6IhO3V4yXxfstrIlwsxrTfxEr9C5tcOKjTV95gLqngFSQRPn3pYbZICoOphZ4XKo1LqXS4HUJEPhZ2oSOStro5wHaDCPRtau5OGWPqUJrsdCxiPzc6v3X15ZFfm2P8re7pU8umjYIj6uvwQqn78PSipZqxBF9tB4A_O3wVRUqx8-pG-eus2Y-yjbPwm4keGCkY2rSqadOeMunCbHLLW-uglGfPC5lC9g4nfOKaMVHeElzdDdiu9d52JXGHihNvSdeTGiQlEvCHlCmz1cWSgdh2s1wMRz9W4cT-dtwDu3dOtiALA3ZnoarK244xtjtI3tsntr-vmyPglKOZrDIrcZWfzDeyYLTbvx4vWZnVjjLtGe8sV5E99lZqGnD1XWHSLlAYRm4fk7Nf6Gtq8XFpwJpmqFeHXaUxoy8diAv4Ywvy5FRB69kjdj888zILDy6ZPd0MoYBCJbbpVCIKl51JnfyPDaXP3krnnoTc8-lUjmSo0XmXloXDv05xLjSUAGbXi9ZGVWrCjuTUKKjXmcnq-PCm9XjuP6-1-r-sdc8YXT8VoCZOEi7T3_z97474ighBlOKX1gm2uqqjMJqdz_YF/s1600/beforeslopperstopper1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZBXC_hcYXI/XtPKlLzFcBI/AAAAAAAABAg/dUNKmA5k7fMmQph6IH6eEVfEea4BtfYtgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxOMeFQq7B2bZswBEnm0lhVSo6IhO3V4yXxfstrIlwsxrTfxEr9C5tcOKjTV95gLqngFSQRPn3pYbZICoOphZ4XKo1LqXS4HUJEPhZ2oSOStro5wHaDCPRtau5OGWPqUJrsdCxiPzc6v3X15ZFfm2P8re7pU8umjYIj6uvwQqn78PSipZqxBF9tB4A_O3wVRUqx8-pG-eus2Y-yjbPwm4keGCkY2rSqadOeMunCbHLLW-uglGfPC5lC9g4nfOKaMVHeElzdDdiu9d52JXGHihNvSdeTGiQlEvCHlCmz1cWSgdh2s1wMRz9W4cT-dtwDu3dOtiALA3ZnoarK244xtjtI3tsntr-vmyPglKOZrDIrcZWfzDeyYLTbvx4vWZnVjjLtGe8sV5E99lZqGnD1XWHSLlAYRm4fk7Nf6Gtq8XFpwJpmqFeHXaUxoy8diAv4Ywvy5FRB69kjdj888zILDy6ZPd0MoYBCJbbpVCIKl51JnfyPDaXP3krnnoTc8-lUjmSo0XmXloXDv05xLjSUAGbXi9ZGVWrCjuTUKKjXmcnq-PCm9XjuP6-1-r-sdc8YXT8VoCZOEi7T3_z97474ighBlOKX1gm2uqqjMJqdz_YF/s640/beforeslopperstopper1.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After splashing he would walk through it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also listed in the search results was a product review site touting the "5 Best Dog Water Bowls For Sloppy Drinkers: No More Messy" Not exactly the problem at hand, but I went to see what they had to offer. None seemed to touch upon the digging problem, but there were links to Amazon. <br />
<br />
There ya go.....when in doubt.....Amazon to the rescue.<br />
<br />
While perusing some water dishes that were great for travel, no flip, no spill, etc. I spied a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/vdp/442c5a4806a44248b913bfa827d7566c?ref=dp_vse_rvc_0" target="_blank">video</a> at the bottom of the one of the screens.....There was a photo of a golden puppy with his paws splashing out water from a bowl. I played the video touting "Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl" and it was as if Patch could have been the video headliner. EUREKA! <br />
<br />
I was a bit taken aback by the $49.95 price tag. Was I really going to spend $50 on a dog bowl when I already have every type of dog bowl imaginable after 40+ years of dog rescue? I always try to stick to stainless steel for durability and ability to keep them clean and bacteria free. Then I thought about the 3 times I had mopped the floor before lunch and I clicked the "add to cart" button without further hesitation.<br />
<br />
I patiently waited the two days for the bowl arrival. I hopped in the
car to get the mail as soon as Alexa announced "a shipment has arrived". I
opened it, read the instructions, did a thorough cleaning with soap and
water and set it up. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcLCw96D3gE/XtPKuxBWelI/AAAAAAAABAk/GPj0yFcTNrso1DeA6JuAG8H48MRmMHi9wCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzGCgD1I0JDWqpWeBfceCMiJGYxlYrCbYNToysJi9Nuz7peyT6grv6yHead_tN1hvjDFgyPGWKonoauMvaz5s3NC9iZTkirl22iZZlZb7vZQWQlOnrl3ZAczuNPheeujbMZfq0vpQxePYeZne9IOD90uqrrhGuSNYwZS84wc3VTSC8nQjWGRE-9nZolluiWtdYYvVLPnR5QPUoxRt06oqVI44LmnnXldFr0i55OVQfg_tWQXiZm4vjnSNadfGFi_urTqDNvGygunAbfW2TatbKpL0yVNPjQPmJuFTA0NNXDvwSF8GDxErZXEJ1_7nYHBphkiSSl2FWasnGvKq5Ike_3MTwEsKp9bXMkWqzsDvtOkhRo_Ka-fR-W7KTCPJW2V9PDihiq1WCoWC5r7SMaLahLc4_Vt44gHPIqkwU-0r84mjc4_IMpCTJXB90Q3bVNNAiZiru8SwXGZ_PWxlF5a2ZcKNe5WSmCEYrZ6G7sPrY16PryitZ9FZ3A8WHPlSlEjCNDfYsbW2CnLFMiuwSjdla8O6A2t8dmwrWd0wurUYCrZpPAteUEO0jX1H7R7t51sywEUpSesYhBzCtX9b5v7q_JyIsIX8GkuwEbMJefz_YF/s1600/afterslopperstopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcLCw96D3gE/XtPKuxBWelI/AAAAAAAABAk/GPj0yFcTNrso1DeA6JuAG8H48MRmMHi9wCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzGCgD1I0JDWqpWeBfceCMiJGYxlYrCbYNToysJi9Nuz7peyT6grv6yHead_tN1hvjDFgyPGWKonoauMvaz5s3NC9iZTkirl22iZZlZb7vZQWQlOnrl3ZAczuNPheeujbMZfq0vpQxePYeZne9IOD90uqrrhGuSNYwZS84wc3VTSC8nQjWGRE-9nZolluiWtdYYvVLPnR5QPUoxRt06oqVI44LmnnXldFr0i55OVQfg_tWQXiZm4vjnSNadfGFi_urTqDNvGygunAbfW2TatbKpL0yVNPjQPmJuFTA0NNXDvwSF8GDxErZXEJ1_7nYHBphkiSSl2FWasnGvKq5Ike_3MTwEsKp9bXMkWqzsDvtOkhRo_Ka-fR-W7KTCPJW2V9PDihiq1WCoWC5r7SMaLahLc4_Vt44gHPIqkwU-0r84mjc4_IMpCTJXB90Q3bVNNAiZiru8SwXGZ_PWxlF5a2ZcKNe5WSmCEYrZ6G7sPrY16PryitZ9FZ3A8WHPlSlEjCNDfYsbW2CnLFMiuwSjdla8O6A2t8dmwrWd0wurUYCrZpPAteUEO0jX1H7R7t51sywEUpSesYhBzCtX9b5v7q_JyIsIX8GkuwEbMJefz_YF/s640/afterslopperstopper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice and tidy now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Now to await the results. Two days and the kitchen was no longer a flood zone.....the patio still was with the open stainless bowl serving as the water trough and above ground mini-pool. <br />
<br />
Both Patch and Max seemed ok with it and their water intake didn't seem affected in any way. I waited 4 more days to be sure and then took the plunge and purchased a second FIFTY DOLLAR water bowl for the patio. Best $100 I ever spent in two weeks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEiVQvazYg8/XtPJorF5NHI/AAAAAAAABAE/2nRBwk95cdEj-jdoE1HuUCnt8VP1F6lyACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqz23wRUj_S81xTB3mKv7RDoaKpIUeHcRx9i1wf4uM1b5ONvUwyPFCbP4YaqolULpjFa-E_lq69HoVhRqUHNTHgC1Wrm2XbjUPOoWb7ahOQ9b3QnkGk1FridJUSE_2ctvKoM9X8QNeI6bsOIJ5W1RFsNO7VlXTAsW2Z1sdauWtYJLqxgG-8lbZTjVFgVwIXAPnB4j-pTXMw-GMdTMf3p8n1Mlt3z2CVZsx7ASJjVaueCtDQUihhyDgjqq0EeXtI57tLmSBGmuay7hxtrJzhx2x6WC1tbi_a7ZqyW3J2_DBojD9RqqTsYJujusjz8rjoGAOJvNxfZrcHgAQptPb23jtX-vn1rEi79aELQQ4ZYLGHufTqKrAMtmx0M3aM7PUHa-surSCtQVIqby5vSRzA2FQ6JaeGWpSZs_50TbiTqZJ5nj38hl3c9dEDzICxu4sZT-KNwSNnSzLA1cdfnBHAkr5ZoyWfU0bf3y1qODwfsI6ikcSBdmCNjt5SNGoebtqsx5uAL1cV0YKNzlIvZYiKM_DPRspGepdwVYisLy20CQzgeI0xRn6Hfabqzwkco52YUxf3jlBFRvtY6j1Gkct11BUGeZAt6-9Q8A5QFMICcz_YF/s1600/patchslopperstopperPatioMar2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEiVQvazYg8/XtPJorF5NHI/AAAAAAAABAE/2nRBwk95cdEj-jdoE1HuUCnt8VP1F6lyACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqz23wRUj_S81xTB3mKv7RDoaKpIUeHcRx9i1wf4uM1b5ONvUwyPFCbP4YaqolULpjFa-E_lq69HoVhRqUHNTHgC1Wrm2XbjUPOoWb7ahOQ9b3QnkGk1FridJUSE_2ctvKoM9X8QNeI6bsOIJ5W1RFsNO7VlXTAsW2Z1sdauWtYJLqxgG-8lbZTjVFgVwIXAPnB4j-pTXMw-GMdTMf3p8n1Mlt3z2CVZsx7ASJjVaueCtDQUihhyDgjqq0EeXtI57tLmSBGmuay7hxtrJzhx2x6WC1tbi_a7ZqyW3J2_DBojD9RqqTsYJujusjz8rjoGAOJvNxfZrcHgAQptPb23jtX-vn1rEi79aELQQ4ZYLGHufTqKrAMtmx0M3aM7PUHa-surSCtQVIqby5vSRzA2FQ6JaeGWpSZs_50TbiTqZJ5nj38hl3c9dEDzICxu4sZT-KNwSNnSzLA1cdfnBHAkr5ZoyWfU0bf3y1qODwfsI6ikcSBdmCNjt5SNGoebtqsx5uAL1cV0YKNzlIvZYiKM_DPRspGepdwVYisLy20CQzgeI0xRn6Hfabqzwkco52YUxf3jlBFRvtY6j1Gkct11BUGeZAt6-9Q8A5QFMICcz_YF/s400/patchslopperstopperPatioMar2020.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bought a second for the patio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Bonus is, when my friend's labby girl comes over I don't have to race to pick up the water bowl to prevent the "bowl flipper" from making a mess. There is good weight behind the Slopper Stopper and she can no longer stand on the edge to flip the bowl over.<br />
<br />
I chose the medium size insert after thinking about if Patch's paws could fit in the large insert's hole. It was a good choice. No matter which size insert you choose, the bowl holds a gallon of water so I'm not refilling all the time. If a dog has the need of a raised bowl, the company has you covered.....there is a stand which is sold separately.<br />
<br />
And yes, Patch frequently lies down to eat and drink. Not sure what is up with that but it doesn't seem to have an adverse affect on him. It's on the list of things to ask the vet during his next visit.<br />
<br />
It's easy to clean and has eliminated the flooded kitchen and patio problems. Slopper Stopper works for us.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrobOXj-3cU/XtPGzOiblbI/AAAAAAAAA_0/YaSSlZkgV7wgcAKR1gDzB66G7kS9sApGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mopUpPatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrobOXj-3cU/XtPGzOiblbI/AAAAAAAAA_0/YaSSlZkgV7wgcAKR1gDzB66G7kS9sApGACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/mopUpPatch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less work for me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-35067969242548508782020-02-16T11:00:00.000-05:002020-02-16T17:23:10.469-05:00Patch's Canine Peanut Butter Balls<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image">
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rfu-IQC4568/XkljYcR2QlI/AAAAAAAAA9c/6afL7urDZSE6EzK6RyUAaVcnQI7pyQqzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/featureddogPeanutbuttersnacks.jpg">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rfu-IQC4568/XkljYcR2QlI/AAAAAAAAA9c/6afL7urDZSE6EzK6RyUAaVcnQI7pyQqzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/featureddogPeanutbuttersnacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rfu-IQC4568/XkljYcR2QlI/AAAAAAAAA9c/6afL7urDZSE6EzK6RyUAaVcnQI7pyQqzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/featureddogPeanutbuttersnacks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In early February I adopted Patch, a 5.5 year old English Setter boy who has tested positive for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. <br /><br />He's not a food motivated dog, which to me is perplexing. He turned his nose up at any treats I had in the house, including the homebaked <a href="https://osceolaflgardenblahblahblog.blogspot.com/2018/01/jorja-and-elliots-senior-canine-soft.html" target="_blank">senior treats</a> I created for the late and great Jorja and Elliot.<br />
<br />
Patch is the first dog I met who didn't gobble the soft, pumpkin/oatmeal based cookies. Even Max, adopted in November 2019 is a big fan.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPzCHZV5zNM/Xklmc3yh7QI/AAAAAAAAA9o/nK56-nycjAwoiARwf1fpZ-0uqPSJgi2AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/patchwatchingmax.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPzCHZV5zNM/Xklmc3yh7QI/AAAAAAAAA9o/nK56-nycjAwoiARwf1fpZ-0uqPSJgi2AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/patchwatchingmax.jpg" width="320" height="400" data-original-width="1281" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
<br />
So, I decided it was time to find what might get Patch's jowls drooling. <br /><br />I thought I would start with a peanut butter flavor. I mean, who can resist peanut butter? I tried a few variations and this one seems to be a hit. It's easy to put together and doesn't require a mixer.<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees <br /><br />1 grated carrot (I use the nutribullet)<br />1/4 cup organic peanut butter (no additives)<br />1 tbsp flaxseed<br />1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil melted<br />1 egg<br />1-1/2 cup oatmeal<br /><br />Combine carrot, peanut butter, flaxseed and coconut oil in a bowl. <br />Beat egg and stir into mixture. Stir in oatmeal a little at a time until all is combined.<br /><br />form into 1/2 inch balls (gloves recommended) and place on parchment lined cookie tray.<br /><br />Bake for 10 minutes at 350 then turn off oven and let sit in oven for 45 minutes. Remove and cool. <br />
<br />
Refrigerate. Makes approx. 50 treats<br /><br />
<br />
Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-72977799426121611592020-02-05T12:40:00.001-05:002020-02-06T13:00:06.443-05:00English Setter Déjà vu <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image">
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZ-96Z9y_Cc/Xjr31OwhP0I/AAAAAAAAA9E/hwqTMFMRrZAB4iACUYyEIn2z1kzJ3GGagCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/PatchMaxDay3.jpg">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZ-96Z9y_Cc/Xjr31OwhP0I/AAAAAAAAA9E/hwqTMFMRrZAB4iACUYyEIn2z1kzJ3GGagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PatchMaxDay3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZ-96Z9y_Cc/Xjr31OwhP0I/AAAAAAAAA9E/hwqTMFMRrZAB4iACUYyEIn2z1kzJ3GGagCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/PatchMaxDay3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patch and Max</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When you adopt senior or special needs dogs, they aren't necessarily with you for very long. Unfortunately in the past 4 months 3 of my pups (Elliot, Loui and Jorja) all headed to the rainbow bridge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcV8wm3tszc/Xjr42IRfo1I/AAAAAAAAA9M/6vfXvdfz3rQhjellm1JwPe3qGay4HsZYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ElliotLouiJorja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcV8wm3tszc/Xjr42IRfo1I/AAAAAAAAA9M/6vfXvdfz3rQhjellm1JwPe3qGay4HsZYACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ElliotLouiJorja.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elliot (2007?-2019), Loui (2011?-2019) and Jorja (2006-2020)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Shortly after Elliot passed I was looking so see if there were any senior setters in need and I ran across a photo that could have been Elliot's twin. I looked and read the story of Max, a six year old boy from Indiana who is blind in one eye and soon to be completely blind. He traveled to me arriving on November 17th and is a wonderful addition to the family.<br />
<br />
Just weeks later Loui needed exploratory surgery to determine if what the doctor felt in his abdomen was cancer. They removed a grapefruit size mass from his intestines along with his spleen that looked suspiciously diseased. Unfortunately, Loui's heart stopped while in recovery and they could not revive him. I was devastated.<br />
<br />
Jorja, Max and I plodded on with life. Jorja (age 13.5) had been diagnosed with severe arthritis last year. She began receiving monthly injections when she came up lame one day in early autumn. The CBD oil and carprofen were no longer being effective to keep her pain free. The injection worked for a time, but then she began struggling again. In early January she stopped eating full meals and began losing weight. A steroid shot was given on a Friday to try to stimulate appetite and she managed through the weekend, but by Monday I knew it was her time. She would not eat and she couldn't stay up, even with help.<br />
<br />
When I <a href="http://osceolaflgardenblahblahblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-love-good-karma.html">adopted Elliot</a> in 2013 he was <a href="http://osceolaflgardenblahblahblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/elliot-before-and-after.html">in pretty sad shape</a> including having a cancerous tumor hanging from his neck. It was at that time I made the decision that moving forward I would only adopt senior or special needs dogs.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://osceolaflgardenblahblahblog.blogspot.com/2018/01/jorja-and-elliots-senior-canine-soft.html">Jorja</a> came to me in 2017 at age 10 and within months she was diagnosed with breast cancer which was successfully treated with two surgeries. Loui was adopted in 2018 at age 8, heartworm positive and with a leg that had at one time been broken but never reset. They were all really super dogs that just weren't perfect in a traditional "buy them at the pet store" sense. But they were PERFECT companions.<br />
<br />
Max (age 6) is a huge comfort. I adopted him via <a href="http://oesr.org/">Our English Setter Rescue</a> (OESR) which is based in Ohio but has volunteers throughout the country. They maintain a Facebook group for adopters/fosters to ask questions and I am learning quite a few things from the posts. Dogs in need of fostering and those ready for adoption are posted.<br />
<br />
Patch is one of those dogs and is my first venture into being a foster mom. He is age 5.5, positive for anaplasmosis and lyme disease. He was rescued in Virginia from a unpleasant situation covered with ticks. OESR saw that he was quickly neutered, bathed and vetted by an angel named Deanna. He arrived this past weekend via a transport chain of 8 wonderful souls who volunteered to drive him down to me in Florida.<br />
<br />
He is quite the beautiful dog but OY, is he a pigpen. He lies in the dirt and brings it all in the house. Then it dawned on me.....I frequently called Jorja "pigpen" because she would come inside and by the time she got up from the kitchen mat there would be a cloud of dirt reminiscent of the Charles Schulz character.<br />
<br />
Patch is identical in color and in conformation to the late and great Jorja. Patch is just a somewhat larger version. He is a tad worse than Jorja in the pigpen category since he digs in the water bowl, flooding the kitchen and walking through it with his GIANT dirt covered paws. The mops are getting a workout but his angelic face takes the sting out of the constant mopping. Hopefully the new "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079P8W4RS/">Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl</a>" I ordered will at least limit the flooding. Can't wait for it to arrive tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Patch, like Jorja is in constant motion patrolling the property when he is outside. He does laps...always on the hunt. <br />
<br />
By the same token, Max could be Elliot's clone. He goes outside and stays in one area, hunting lizards. I even find myself accidentally calling him Elliot from time to time. He is soft, mild mannered and quiet. He doesn't drag dirt into the house and neither did Elliot. I guess white and orange Setters just aren't dirt attractants. <br />
<br />
I glanced up the other day to see Patch and Max standing side by side in the yard. The two dogs are so different personality-wise yet the similarity to their same-colored predecessors is striking.<br />
<br />
That's when I had my déjà vu moment. It was as if Jorja and Elliot were back. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_SlVg8nztM/Xjr1hPzviNI/AAAAAAAAA84/fwXwiznK-YU7HOXM2Vl1zwjn9f8b65AggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/jorjaElliotBedDec2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P_SlVg8nztM/Xjr1hPzviNI/AAAAAAAAA84/fwXwiznK-YU7HOXM2Vl1zwjn9f8b65AggCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/jorjaElliotBedDec2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jorja and Elliot Dec 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-9779788634634328552018-01-05T21:03:00.000-05:002018-05-31T17:58:36.974-04:00Jorja and Elliot's Senior Canine Soft Treats<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0DX1-B6QMU/WlAq4lqplbI/AAAAAAAAAuc/aICu21H9S4cw9quhUtpkXNh9IfMRGEd3QCLcBGAs/s1600/jorjatreatJan2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0DX1-B6QMU/WlAq4lqplbI/AAAAAAAAAuc/aICu21H9S4cw9quhUtpkXNh9IfMRGEd3QCLcBGAs/s640/jorjatreatJan2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jorja approved!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Update May 2018: I now am adding ground flaxseed (1/8 cup). I also made them substituting blackberries for the cranberries which are available in my yard now. And, I did try the coconut oil. Still a hit with the woofs.<br />
<br />
Jorja and Elliot are 11 and 10 year old English Setter rescues, the former rescued in May 2017 and the latter rescued in September 2013. Both have had cancer which involved surgery.<br />
<br />
Elliot had a malignant tumor removed from his throat area back in early 2014 and has been cancer free since. He does suffer from terrible arthritis which had been treated primarily with supplements (Actistatin) and 6 months ago we added a single daily dose of pain killer (Carprofen).<br />
<br />
Jorja has had surgery to remove mammary tumors twice in the 6 months since she joined our family and so far the areas that were operated on don't show any signs of recurrence. We keep a close watchful eye since she was only spayed a few days before we adopted her and cancer in unspayed dogs or those spayed late in life is quite common after age 10.<br />
<br />
In addition, while she still gets around well at age 11 she is showing beginning signs of arthritis when getting up in the morning. We have put her on the vet-recommended supplement mentioned above.<br />
<br />
We are striving to fend off further problems and did a little research on battling cancer and arthritis through natural foods. This is the recipe I came up with and a test taste over the past 2 months indicates that I'm on target from my doggie's perspective. They LOVE them even pushing one another out of the way to get to me first. <br />
<br />
Elliot even seems to have a perkier step since I whipped up this recipe. They get them a few times throughout the day and three before bed.<br />
<br />
3 ounces fresh cranberries (or try seasonal berries, such as blackberries)<br />
1/2 cup water <br />
1/4 cup organic turmeric powder<br />
1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper (use a pepper grinder)<br />
1/8 cup ground flaxseed <br />
1 tablespoon Oil (olive or coconut) <br />
1 16 oz can 100% pumpkin (not pie filling) <br />
1 egg beaten<br />
2 cups dried oatmeal (I put mine in the Nutribullet for 15 seconds or so to make is more flour-like for mixing but you don't have too)<br />
4 ounces fresh spinach chopped fine<br />
fresh elderberry flowers (optional---I put them in when available from my yard) <br />
<br />
<br />
Cook cranberries in water for about 8 minutes until they crack and can be easily mashed. Mash and allow to cool.<br />
<br />
Blend in turmeric, black pepper and oil <br />
blend in pumpkin and egg<br />
add dried oatmeal and flaxseed a little at a time and mix until blended.<br />
blend in chopped spinach and elderberry flowers. <br />
drop by teaspoonful onto <b>parchment lined</b> cookie sheets. They do not spread so you can drop close together.<br />
<br />
Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes. Cool and store in the refrigerator in a closed container for up to two weeks. Makes about 60-70 treats. Although I haven't tried it, you probably can freeze them. I always freeze pumpkin bread without any problems.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVeJ8WRudbM/WlAqzPJQFDI/AAAAAAAAAuk/uqOggmlYvEsHPlcQ-H1AvaB27_sL8mpBACEwYBhgL/s1600/treatscoolingJan2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVeJ8WRudbM/WlAqzPJQFDI/AAAAAAAAAuk/uqOggmlYvEsHPlcQ-H1AvaB27_sL8mpBACEwYBhgL/s640/treatscoolingJan2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
You can use a mixer or just mix using muscle power. I have made them both ways. If I'm feeling strong and lazy I just use the pot I cook the cranberries in and mix everything up with a fork.<br />
<br />
If my back is bothering me I generally opt for the mixer but then there is more cleanup of the bowl, beaters, etc. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-66705590852790501502016-08-14T13:52:00.000-04:002016-08-14T15:26:01.116-04:00Cardinal Pest Control for Cash Crops<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0oirnAC0Lg/V7CwIl_vyVI/AAAAAAAAApE/juorDFANBNwWVgvNNAuqCWJDA8M0vDM7gCK4B/s1600/cardinalsZucchiniAug2016-717369.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6318743938885732690" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0oirnAC0Lg/V7CwIl_vyVI/AAAAAAAAApE/juorDFANBNwWVgvNNAuqCWJDA8M0vDM7gCK4B/s640/cardinalsZucchiniAug2016-717369.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">There was a half-dozen or more Northern Cardinals gleening insects from the leaves of my zucchini plant early today. You should be able to find five in the photo (click the picture to view larger size). No wonder I haven't had any more pickleworms making their way into the fruits. Wonderful to see IPM in action.</span></div>
Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-29324893357802371142015-08-29T20:38:00.000-04:002015-08-29T21:01:43.256-04:00Friends and Nature in 140 Characters or Less<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcJF3W8FfYk/VeJRCYjJucI/AAAAAAAAAlU/6B0EnklNXzA/s1600/LongislandOct2012D-741457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="265" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6188597939351960002" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcJF3W8FfYk/VeJRCYjJucI/AAAAAAAAAlU/6B0EnklNXzA/s400/LongislandOct2012D-741457.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div>
I'm not exactly sure why this never got published back in 2012, but I just found it and figured it still is worth a share, even if it is 3 years later.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
I started using twitter back in March 2009 when our local news team was offering free movie tickets to tweeters. In exploring a practical use for Twitter, I thought that I might be able to incorporate some publicity for our local chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society by setting up an account.</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
Slowly I began locating tweeters to follow, using search terms that had to do with #environment #ecology #gardening #Florida and the like. I pretty much followed back anyone who followed me, provided that their avatar wasn't naked or their timeline filled with "just ate a sandwich, it was good" or "damn, the ice tray was empty". I religiously retweeted environmental article links that I found enlightening and somehow began acquiring a solid following. I guess my mindless drivel isn't such drivel after all ;)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
A fellow tweeter caught my eye because she gives a morning weather report for Long Island, my old stomping ground and still home to my eldest sister. She also shows a penchant for being environmentally concerned. And I also noted a quick wit imbedded in her 140 characters. I was headed up to NY in 2010 for a wedding so @gemswinc and I agreed to meet for coffee at the airport. Let's just say that it is somewhat amazing that either of us is capable of communicating using only 140 characters. We are both quite chatty. On that trip Cindy was kind enough to drive me from the airport to my sisters, saving a trip for my brother-in-law and the environment since she drives a Prius ;)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
In 2011 she was headed down to Central Florida for a family visit so we agreed to meet for lunch. I found an "off the beaten track" restaurant on Lake Jessup which was unique and somewhat nature oriented. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Here we are in 2012. I was once again headed to Long Island for a wedding so we planned to meet at least for coffee or lunch during my 5-day whirlwind trip.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
The week I planned my trip details, I had to update mailing lists for the native plant people. I noticed a member had a 631 telephone area code. Odd, because that is the area code for my sister on Long Island. I looked and saw that this member showed an affiliation with "South Fork Natural History Museum" which I had never heard of, and since I lived part of the time on Long Island for 20+ years, my curiosity was piqued. I ran a search and found that it is located in Bridgehampton, on Long Island's East End and it indicated that it had a nature center and trails. I tweeted @gemswinc to see if she ever heard of it. Nada.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3t9ZLfnQZ1Q/VeJSWp-TZ2I/AAAAAAAAAlw/97Pw0CudlgM/s1600/longislandOct2012B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3t9ZLfnQZ1Q/VeJSWp-TZ2I/AAAAAAAAAlw/97Pw0CudlgM/s640/longislandOct2012B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We decided this might be a fun place to investigate for our lunch "tweetup". Obviously geared toward children, but heck, we're just big kids, so it seemed like the perfect venue and it was. We headed out and had a quick lunch at "the Pear" in the town of Bridgehampton and then headed off to find the museum. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
What a great place! Lindsey ??? greeted us and gave us each a field guide for the inside exhibit. She explained that the tour is set up to get children (and adults) familiar with making use of a field guide. I also learned that the native plant society member is the retired director of the museum and I saw his name on a flier as a scheduled tour guide for the upcoming weekend tour.</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qT8m-lQIzHU/VeJSERUty7I/AAAAAAAAAlk/GWmk9SIQjRs/s1600/longislandOct2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qT8m-lQIzHU/VeJSERUty7I/AAAAAAAAAlk/GWmk9SIQjRs/s640/longislandOct2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
Since it was a Monday in off-season, we had the whole place to ourselves and Lindsey was quick to interact and answer our questions. You open doors, pull out drawers and peer through portholes to learn various aspects of nature. Cindy and I were discussing whether or not the turtle was alive or animated when Lindsey quickly explained that many of the inside exhibits have a "live" half. The turtle WAS alive! We were a lot more vigilant looking for things on the "live" side.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
There was a "touch tank" filled with crabs, fish, muscles and other interesting creatures. We headed out to the trails and saw beautiful butterflies, lots of wildflowers and birds. A return to center took us up to the observation deck that is equipped with spotting scopes and books of the possible creatures you might find out in "the old field". The director ???? joined us and he spotted an eagle doing acrobatics off in the distance and he positioned the spotting scope so we could enjoy the encounter too.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIcRwkD37X8/VeJSHIaCMBI/AAAAAAAAAls/H7lIi0f8nWo/s1600/longislandOct2012A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIcRwkD37X8/VeJSHIaCMBI/AAAAAAAAAls/H7lIi0f8nWo/s640/longislandOct2012A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
It was a beautiful fall day. The trails are part of the Long Pond Greenbelt which is public lands, so the museum doesn't have to be open for you to enjoy this aspect, but I highly recommended that you plan a museum visit to see all this little natural wonder has to offer. Bring the kids if you have them, but don't let not having kids stop you from enjoying this "off the beaten track" gem.</div>
Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-48445402705490480572014-07-13T08:28:00.000-04:002014-07-13T08:33:49.429-04:00Loret’s Excellent Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zs73ExiPmA/U8J10MyZs1I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/erYt0uqWNQg/s1600/cottonmouthJuly2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zs73ExiPmA/U8J10MyZs1I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/erYt0uqWNQg/s1600/cottonmouthJuly2014.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
So, I spotted a cottonmouth snake a couple of nights ago on the patio, eating a Cuban treefrog. If not for the dogs this would be a joyous sight. Anything that eats the invasive frogs is a good thing in my book. Unfortunately, cottonmouths a.k.a. water moccasins, are venomous snakes of the “get thee immediately to the hospital” venom variety.<br />
<br />
Most snakes move on in good time, but Chili encountered the snake the other morning, luckily with no serious repercussions. Again, snakey had a frog in its mouth so couldn’t bite her. He did, however regurgitate the frog by the time I ushered the dog into the house, so he was getting ready to feast on the larger, more annoying Irish Setter prey. Thankfully tragedy was avoided.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OcMVdegD6A/U8J2TUcTH6I/AAAAAAAAAfs/E99m70rMhM0/s1600/snakemenJuly2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OcMVdegD6A/U8J2TUcTH6I/AAAAAAAAAfs/E99m70rMhM0/s1600/snakemenJuly2014.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>Today, Elliot, Chili and I were out wandering around and I decided to go inside for a bit. Down on the patio below an opening in the brick lattice was the cottonmouth. AGAIN!<br />
<br />
Obviously the snake was not going to move on so I checked the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website for a snake relocation service. I was happy to find one just a few streets over from me.<br />
<br />
Meet Sonny and Greg of <i>Sonny's Unwanted Adventures</i>…snake handlers extraordinaire. They arrived in less than 20 minutes with their fancy equipment consisting of a golf club (I think a 3-iron) and a white plastic bag. The snake had moved but was still visible and they dispatched him into the bag in short order. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2T-2zSjIn6E/U8J2Ak9upGI/AAAAAAAAAfc/1nT54wWoGWs/s1600/snakebagJuly2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2T-2zSjIn6E/U8J2Ak9upGI/AAAAAAAAAfc/1nT54wWoGWs/s320/snakebagJuly2014.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
“What do I owe you?” I asked. “Ten dollars”, Sonny announced. I was stunned by the low amount and I guess my face showed it because as I opened the door to go inside, Sonny sheepishly said, “Well, I’d take $20 since I have a helper”. I reached into my purse and grabbed $25.00. At that moment I heard some conversation from the two gentlemen. “I’ve got it”, one said. “Check under there, there must be a nest”, the other reported.<br />
<br />
I stuck my head out and they were adding a second snake to the Hefty kitchen bag. They moved the lawnmower and the rubber mat and cleaned out under them. They looked around a bit and said they would come back if I found any additional visitors. I reached into my purse and exchanged the $5.00 for a second $20.00. <br />
<br />
Sonny thanked me profusely and reminded me that I now had a credit for a few more catches, to call any time. I pooh-poohed him and said I’d pay his regular rates for return visits, just knowing that he was close by was worth it to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p0V7ilSAZa0/U8J2IvLgCtI/AAAAAAAAAfk/o5zMn_hb-hI/s1600/snake9ironJuly2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p0V7ilSAZa0/U8J2IvLgCtI/AAAAAAAAAfk/o5zMn_hb-hI/s1600/snake9ironJuly2014.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
What a relief. I’m glad I called in the professionals. I might have thought a 9-iron would do the job, and I’d have come up very short!Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-16752093187408354052014-04-19T20:17:00.000-04:002014-04-19T20:19:44.192-04:00Life beyond the corral<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7kiN5Y57FY/U1MSoYEF7JI/AAAAAAAAAdY/IqiCNdT4r0g/s1600/goatsApr2014-784192.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7kiN5Y57FY/U1MSoYEF7JI/AAAAAAAAAdY/IqiCNdT4r0g/s320/goatsApr2014-784192.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6004163213078686866" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I let Elliot out after dinner one evening this week and I glanced out at the roadway. I did a double take, for there, on my street, was a herd of goats. Just munching along the culvert like they belonged there. They probably live on the next block, I can hear goat sounds every now and again. They must have broken down a fence and meandered through the empty lot across the way. Ahhhhhhh Country Living, it never is boring.</FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-14481156939826799882013-12-23T01:03:00.001-05:002013-12-23T01:03:47.275-05:00Elliot Before and After<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19a2MhYhp8Y/UrfSRIWZ0rI/AAAAAAAAAbs/ePJiDISeWdU/s1600/elliotfaceBeforeAFTER-727276.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19a2MhYhp8Y/UrfSRIWZ0rI/AAAAAAAAAbs/ePJiDISeWdU/s320/elliotfaceBeforeAFTER-727276.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5960463823589200562" /></a>Well, Elliot lives here for a little over 3 months and what a difference. His coat has thickened up so that the skin doesn't show through any longer. His eyes have cleared. He is a happy, healthy, sweet boy. We are glad that he came into our life where he will stay forever. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgyRPaAA5iU/UrfSSHtBjjI/AAAAAAAAAb4/f8Ou9KtFgbo/s1600/elliotBeforeAfter-731624.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgyRPaAA5iU/UrfSSHtBjjI/AAAAAAAAAb4/f8Ou9KtFgbo/s320/elliotBeforeAfter-731624.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5960463840595512882" /></a></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Welcome Home, Elliot!</FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-57898213340179584462013-11-29T23:56:00.000-05:002013-11-29T23:59:59.091-05:00The tussock<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWd4oAoxm7g/Uplwz6NS4UI/AAAAAAAAAa4/VMKyb0Wmc0k/s1600/tussockSept2013A-799092.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWd4oAoxm7g/Uplwz6NS4UI/AAAAAAAAAa4/VMKyb0Wmc0k/s320/tussockSept2013A-799092.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5951912419647480130" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>My island in the pond.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBTh2RrLoXI/Uplw0j8H-ZI/AAAAAAAAAbA/DflIZlCgyMQ/s1600/tussockAug2013A-702032.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBTh2RrLoXI/Uplw0j8H-ZI/AAAAAAAAAbA/DflIZlCgyMQ/s320/tussockAug2013A-702032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5951912430849751442" /></a></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-29651937671907414212013-10-25T11:41:00.000-04:002013-10-25T11:42:29.131-04:00Arnold surfs the windshield<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy4mZoD12S4/UmqRZdo_rWI/AAAAAAAAAaA/lugXOMCmJ88/s1600/anoleShotgunSept2013-749132.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy4mZoD12S4/UmqRZdo_rWI/AAAAAAAAAaA/lugXOMCmJ88/s320/anoleShotgunSept2013-749132.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5938718925280750946" /></a></p><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>I was riding home from the grocery the other day, doing my usual 60 in a 55-mile zone. Suddenly, from out of the hood crawled a green anole. </P> <P>He hung out behind the wipers, tail flapping in the breeze.</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>We reached a speed limit change so I cranked it up to 65 for the 60-mile speed limit. Arnold (as I named him) didn't seem distressed and I thought of pulling over to let him off, but I know that some of the anoles hang out in my car engine. I figured it might be crueler to drop him off in parts unknown, rather than return him home to his friends. I have a healthy population of green anoles, the only anole native to Florida.</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>Arnold seemed to get bolder as we rode along. He moved up slightly and firmly planted his feet on a low part of the windshield, but up above the wipers. Now he was surfing. Head turned, smile on his face, he seemed to be enjoying the breeze. I kept an eye on him, for if at any time he looked like he was losing a grip in any way, I would have rescued him, but he held tight.</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>He got a slight reprieve as we approached the only traffic signal on the 13-mile journey home. He seemed to let up the grip for a moment and I thought he might jump off, but once again he hunkered down as we smoothly transitioned from the stop to 70mph. He actually appeared gleeful with the freedom of the wind in his scales. I gave him the countdown....8 more miles, 7 more miles.....two more blocks...we're nearly there Arnold HANG ONNNNNN!!!!</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2> </P></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>You may think this borders on reptile cruelty, but if I tried to remove him, my fear was that he would run for cover under the hood and maybe get fried on a hot engine part. </P> <P>Even with a full stop at the mailbox he didn't look to jump off the car. We drove the next two blocks home and when I pulled into the carport and shut down the engine, he looked around as if to say, "oh, finally we are home". </P> <P>It wasn't long until he wondered over the top of the car and leaped onto the post that holds up the carport. "Home to my favorite spot, at last!"</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2> </FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>I think perhaps I need to do a public service video of the car grill covered in bug wings to show the potential dangers. Something along the lines of "Car surfing can have deadly results".</FONT></P></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>Photo depicts another of the native anoles that rode home on the sideview mirror from the mailbox recently; they are an adventurous bunch. Arnold was nowhere to be found when I returned with the camera...probably went to take a nap.</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2> </FONT><FONT size=2></P></FONT>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-83825203906691875892013-09-20T11:14:00.000-04:002013-09-20T11:15:17.181-04:00New Love, Good Karma<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OMdhJeCfYME/Ujxmhf3oq8I/AAAAAAAAAZE/7HArI6jTMGQ/s1600/elliotChiliSpotA-717182.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OMdhJeCfYME/Ujxmhf3oq8I/AAAAAAAAAZE/7HArI6jTMGQ/s320/elliotChiliSpotA-717182.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5925723935389297602" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Meet Elliot, a six year old English Setter boy who has joined my family. We found Elliot online and it is all Twitter's fault. I wasn't looking for a dog, but the SPCA of Central Florida tweeted something that took me to their website. I figured while I was there I would just peruse the homeless doggies' list. I didn't spot any dog that struck my fancy, but I decided that since I had come this far, I'd do a quick search on petfinder.com for "setter". A bunch of local dogs popped up and Elliot was among them. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I said it is all Twitter's fault, but that, in fact, isn't true. Twitter played the starting role, but my friend Janet from Colorado, mistress of the Colorado cuties (mostly of the labrador variety) is the major one at fault. She adopted a labrador about a year or so ago and named the tyke Elliott (two t's). I probably never would have clicked on my Elliot's profile if his name was Harry, but I was drawn to the name so I had to look.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>My Elliot is a wonderful dog who just had bad karma. He was adopted and loved twice, but change in job and housing circumstances for the humans had him returned to the rescue group both times. Not his fault. Just lives changed and now, so has Elliot's. He is in his furever home and we couldn't be happier. In just a week's short time he fits in like he always lived here. He has adapted to our shedule and is eating heartedly now, putting on some much needed weight. The initial timidness is fading and he is holding his own with the resident setters, who are learning to accept him as well.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>In reality, Elliot never had bad karma....his karma was good all the while. He was given a good karma name when he initially entered rescue as a stray. His prior stewards kept his good karma name which led him to me. Funny how that works out.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-40361735795254396022013-08-17T10:47:00.001-04:002013-08-17T10:47:47.205-04:00Nature's voyeur<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--09xUu4B6Qw/Ug-NE8NTG2I/AAAAAAAAAYI/57agGT9vPzs/s1600/satyrButterflypairAug2013-767206.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--09xUu4B6Qw/Ug-NE8NTG2I/AAAAAAAAAYI/57agGT9vPzs/s320/satyrButterflypairAug2013-767206.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5913099951781649250" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">These Carolina Satyr Butterflies (Hermeuptychia sosybius) <FONT size=2 face=Arial>are</FONT></FONT> pretty regular visitors to my place. It looks like the generations will continue. Larval hosts include various grasses.</FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-32124641166242538342013-07-04T11:56:00.000-04:002013-07-04T12:02:16.836-04:00Gator-ette<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD7t-uKFmLs/UdWblhq1YoI/AAAAAAAAAXE/VWMyFSYcQlM/s1600/alligatortussockfullJune2013-793542.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tD7t-uKFmLs/UdWblhq1YoI/AAAAAAAAAXE/VWMyFSYcQlM/s320/alligatortussockfullJune2013-793542.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5896790356107027074" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I'm not indicating that this is a girl alligator, I haven't a clue. What I am trying to convey is that it is a baby gator, maybe 1.5 ft long. I'm rather glad that Albert, the 2.5 to 3 foot one has "left the building". </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBqIZVWFfyg/UdWbmKWfe2I/AAAAAAAAAXM/6geykASWmLs/s1600/alligator062913C-795926.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBqIZVWFfyg/UdWbmKWfe2I/AAAAAAAAAXM/6geykASWmLs/s320/alligator062913C-795926.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5896790367027559266" /></a></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Alexander (I thought it was a fitting name) was just sunning himself on the tussock (island). I saw him one other day doing that dead man float thing in some deeper water. I'm not sure how they get here and where they go when they leave. I just find it interesting that they DO find my little inland pond. A friend Kim reports that they are capable of climbing a fence. This one is small enough to fit under the gap of the back gate. For a comparison of the two, it's like barbie shoes versus size 7s.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>At any rate, I walk very carefully these days around the pond. Don't want to be a peg legged gardener ;)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-54318710157215682792013-06-23T14:05:00.000-04:002013-06-23T14:06:13.745-04:00Brood Three Bluebird Fledgee....What Are You Waiting For?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4n8sYKArac/Ucc5FkUGhCI/AAAAAAAAAWc/3eEdP1QY1BQ/s1600/Bluebird2013Brood3FledgeB-773746.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4n8sYKArac/Ucc5FkUGhCI/AAAAAAAAAWc/3eEdP1QY1BQ/s320/Bluebird2013Brood3FledgeB-773746.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5892741405247702050" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Although the Bluebirds chose to raise their third brood up in the Purple Martin house where nosey me can't see how the babies are doing, I was at the right place at the right time this week. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>One day I spotted the Swallowtail Kite, a type of a hawk bird soaring over the property. That means it is close to fledge time for some poor unsuspecting nestling. I'm not sure how the kites know that the babies are ready...perhaps they use a calendar much like I do: See food going in? Check in 16-18 days for bluebird babies coming out.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The next day I was walking around the pond when I heard the unmistakable chatter of the bluebird parents. Flutter around, sitting high in treetops, seemingly telling the kids to hurry up.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I stepped far enough away to not upset the parents, but close enough to get a view of the babies. I got to witness one dancing in and out of the various holes in the martin house, leaning out onto the balcony, contemplating the first flight.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>(S)he seemed a bit hesitant and was taking a bit too long, so I snapped a few photos and headed inside with the hope that it had a successful first flight and that the hawks and kites weren't waiting in the wings with bibs on.</FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-75673299496397837092013-06-05T07:35:00.000-04:002013-07-15T12:46:37.574-04:00In the throws of passion: Rated "R"<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tnxH5SZYZ5g/Ua8irQSwpYI/AAAAAAAAAV8/m0U0TauTXqU/s1600/greenanolesinLove-772933.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tnxH5SZYZ5g/Ua8irQSwpYI/AAAAAAAAAV8/m0U0TauTXqU/s320/greenanolesinLove-772933.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5885961364499899778" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I was having a cup of coffee and looking out the back window which faces the pond. Out of the corner of my eye I was SHOCKED to see my green friends with an open display of affection, right there on my fence. I felt like a voyeur so I looked the other way. Oh, ok, I grabbed the camera and began snapping away through the window like a detective on the prowl for a cheating spouse.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I'm happy to see the potential for an increase in population of our native green anoles that are being displaced by the invasive brown cuban anoles.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The <A href="http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/nature-knows-best%e2%80%a6the-little-lizard-who-could.html">antics</A> of these adorable lizards is fascinating to watch but they apparently have NO</FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial> SHAME! Perhaps I don't either. ;)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Ah Nature!</FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-8848227046140793402013-05-18T18:18:00.000-04:002013-05-18T18:36:23.698-04:00Right Time, Right Place<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo-yM8PTXaI/UZf-YxJYcsI/AAAAAAAAAVs/ocgGkPNGsv8/s1600/bluebirdfledgedayMay2013B-754266.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5879447540018475714" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo-yM8PTXaI/UZf-YxJYcsI/AAAAAAAAAVs/ocgGkPNGsv8/s320/bluebirdfledgedayMay2013B-754266.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
I heard quite a bit of chattering as I walked around the back pond area, but I didn't give it much thought. I saw a bluebird bringing nesting materials to the purple martin house.<br />
<br />
I walked over to look at the "bog" section which during dry season isn't boggy at all. As I glanced up, I saw a Blue, B-52 bomber headed straight for me.<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I stared at the bluebird and reminded him that I was pretty far away from the nesting box and to chill out. I looked up at the pine tree and saw an interesting coloring on the pine cone so decided to take a photo. Just then Mr. B-52 flew at me again.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
$*(#&)% WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM??? I exclaimed. As I turned, not 3 feet in front of me was a new fledgling, standing quite still. Ahhh, dad was on the ball. And I guess mom was too. Already building for brood three when brood two is JUST out of the nest.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
FLEDGE DAY! So often missed as the babies quickly leave for parts unknown.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Somewhat later in the day I saw not one, but TWO hawks positioned around in the trees, waiting, waiting, waiting. They didn't catch anything on MY watch.</div>
<div>
</div>
Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-25010767912111157312013-05-03T10:36:00.001-04:002013-05-03T10:36:39.637-04:00Baby Sings the Blues<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RafndTrQdSg/UYPLeH35GuI/AAAAAAAAAVE/SIXeTrkHJK0/s1600/bluebirdsiblingMay2013B-799637.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RafndTrQdSg/UYPLeH35GuI/AAAAAAAAAVE/SIXeTrkHJK0/s320/bluebirdsiblingMay2013B-799637.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5873762057391250146" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>There was a bluebird convention at the nest box the other day. Birdies had hatched as I saw mom and dad dutifully bringing live insects to their babies. I was walking by and two birds took flight. Since I assumed that it was mom and pop, I neared the box to take a quick peek at how many babies there were while the adults were away. All of a sudden, MOM came flying out the hole.</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman"> I</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> was a bit perplexed. I was sure that I had seen two birds take flight just moments before. </FONT></FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The next day brought me my clue. There were 3 birds on the top of the box and a beak sticking out of the box. That's four birds and the newly hatched eggs are too little to be counted as "birds". I got the field glasses and noticed them fly away, yet not far. I saw pop with an insect quickly return and then I noticed the weak flight of a second one stumble up top the box. Through the field glasses I got a good look at a somewhat pitiful sight. There was a baby from the first 2013 brood begging dad for a bite. Pop stuck his beak inside the box to feed the newborns and quickly shooed away big sister. </FONT></FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I felt a little sorry for her, but you have to make it on your own in life, as dad was clearly trying to point out.</P></FONT></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-29566547708201369142013-04-19T10:26:00.001-04:002013-04-19T10:26:32.641-04:00Apartment living wasn't for these birds!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqL4yqwToUk/UXFUGeV8bzI/AAAAAAAAAUs/zDqfUPOrp04/s1600/2013bluebirds002-792642.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqL4yqwToUk/UXFUGeV8bzI/AAAAAAAAAUs/zDqfUPOrp04/s320/2013bluebirds002-792642.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5868564259641519922" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Hip Hip horray. The bluebirds decided that apartment living really wasn't for them and have built their latest nest back in the nesting box I monitor in my yard. As of yesterday there were four eggs and one happy garden mistress. I've already started the daily photo documentation of this second brood of 2013. Stay tuned!</FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-52901883067749168322013-03-29T12:06:00.001-04:002013-03-29T12:06:49.970-04:00Those Dastardly Bluebirds<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uiEZGkdjtUk/UVW8GnllzYI/AAAAAAAAAUY/-ilcvpT9lVI/s1600/bluebirdfeed032913-709971.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uiEZGkdjtUk/UVW8GnllzYI/AAAAAAAAAUY/-ilcvpT9lVI/s320/bluebirdfeed032913-709971.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5860797311984455042" /></a></p><!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" http-equiv=Content-Type> <META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.19403"> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>This year the bluebirds have taken the wind out of my sails by nesting in the purple martin house. Oh, I'm thrilled that they are nesting, but I have a perfectly nice blue bird nesting box that they have used since 2007. The nest box is about 6 foot off the ground and has a swingdown door for easy access. I always enjoyed taking a daily peak at the progress and seeing close up the miracle that are bluebirds. This year 20 feet up, high in the sky. I am blaming the mockingbirds for being mean to them and causing the move. </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Still, I am enjoying seeing the flurry of activity many times each day as mom and pop feed the new babies. I'm just frustrated that I don't know how many. I suspect a LOT because they fly back and forth non-stop all day long. In with the food, out with the fecal sacs. </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>So, from my ground perch I dream about the growth of downy feathers and hungry open mouths and think that with my field glasses and zoom camera I merely have a different view than past years.<BR> </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML> Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-27145459031105998532013-02-22T19:29:00.000-05:002013-02-22T19:30:17.594-05:00Mountains in Florida?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_F9C8yyOP3Y/USgNmoD2abI/AAAAAAAAAUA/P8Ise5dX7gE/s1600/cloudMountainFeb2013-717595.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_F9C8yyOP3Y/USgNmoD2abI/AAAAAAAAAUA/P8Ise5dX7gE/s320/cloudMountainFeb2013-717595.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5847939073380346290" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I was stunned to see a snow covered mountain out east the other day. Surrounded by clear blue skies, it rose high above. This is Florida, of course, so a snow covered mountain is unlikely, but I was mesmerized by the beauty of a single cloud mass billowing. So much so that I took the photograph with the intention of sending it to our local news station which asks for our weather shots.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>As luck would have it, my photo was centerstage on the 5pm news. Beauty! and I didn't have to shovel.</FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-11457496781617010082013-02-08T18:26:00.001-05:002013-02-08T18:26:55.829-05:00Freshwater seafood?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6i_SLeBRpI/URWJwBzV8sI/AAAAAAAAATs/9EoxQ3O5TwA/s1600/claws020813-715830.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6i_SLeBRpI/URWJwBzV8sI/AAAAAAAAATs/9EoxQ3O5TwA/s320/claws020813-715830.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5842727549793596098" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>It's always an interesting time when I take the trash out to the curb (like we have a curb HA!). Today I discovered three new-to-me species of plants in the area close to the culvert where I leave the trashbin for pickup. One species, a lobelia is endemic to FL and one species, a clover, is introduced. The other native is a carnivorous bladderwort.</FONT></FONT><FONT size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></P></FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>As I perused the dry culvert, I noticed that something had been chowing down. There were remnants of snail shells smashed and then there was the evidence shown in the photo. Mud bugs! I wonder who came to the "sidewalk" cafe to eat. Mind you, the mudbugs (crayfish) can regenerate claws, but I think that whoever stopped for lunch ate the whole thing and just tossed these claws to the side. </P> <P>And here I didn't leave out any butter sauce.</P></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-57908951989869300472013-01-28T13:12:00.000-05:002013-01-28T15:27:02.384-05:00Birds: and what a week it was<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDgYy6LUtkw/UQa_uNwdo5I/AAAAAAAAATY/l00Pg8fd1qg/s1600/sixstorks012713-791614.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5838564767620244370" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDgYy6LUtkw/UQa_uNwdo5I/AAAAAAAAATY/l00Pg8fd1qg/s320/sixstorks012713-791614.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
What a bird week. Oh, the usual: bluebirds, the phoebe, cardinals, blue jays, warblers, mockingbirds, mourning doves, red-bellied woodpeckers, vultures and my daily visitor, the red shouldered hawk. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
I was greeted by a few treats though. The swallow swarm was back, bigger and better than ever and they added to their antics and my joy by swooping down to drink from the pond a hundred at a time "on the wing", causing only a slight ripple in top of the water.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Then, there was a robin, a soaring eagle, a common dove (not so common around here) and likely the best of all: 6 soaring wood storks (picture shown, which you can see enlarged by clicking on it), There may have been more up there, but 6 was all that fit into the photo frame ;)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
On Saturday, I met a new "life lister": Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus). I glanced out the window and saw red in the oak. Not exactly unusual, the cardinals often hang out in there, but this was close to the trunk. As I studied it, I thought it was a Downy Woodpecker, a species I was blessed with in huge numbers while living in New York, but that I have yet to add to my Florida life list. I crept outside and got out my field glasses for a closer look. WOW, kinda big! As I angled the camera to try and catch a photo (s)he took off up into one of the tall pines. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
I studied it through the field glasses some more and made unsuccessful attempts to get a photo. I realized it was indeed too large to be the diminutive downy so I headed inside to grab my field guide. After thumbing through, I decided that Hairy Woodpecker seemed a good match and then I headed in to the computer to confirm. YEP! CHECK! </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-37905204797098700012013-01-21T16:10:00.001-05:002013-01-21T16:10:57.305-05:00Lousy photo, fleeting encounter<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2Cz7CohKEw/UP2u4ihYpjI/AAAAAAAAATE/GsmqZMYOXTw/s1600/bunting011513-757306.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2Cz7CohKEw/UP2u4ihYpjI/AAAAAAAAATE/GsmqZMYOXTw/s320/bunting011513-757306.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5836012978504771122" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial> <P>One morning about a week ago I saw a splash of color out of the corner of my eye. It was gone before I even could make identification, but I had in the back of my mind what it COULD be. Long ago I had seen some photos taken by my friend Jenny of pretty little birds called Painted Buntings <EM>(Passerina ciris)</EM>. The next day I glanced out the window and I was thrilled to see one who was actually stationary for a moment. Awe struck, I reached for the camera but as fast as it was there it was gone.</P> <P>The next day I again glanced out the door and saw one of these beauties, a male. I quietly grabbed the camera and stealthy opened the door as the little bugger flew over into the grapevine. This photo was the best I could do before it disappeared in the tangle of vines. </P> <P>The next morning I stationed myself on the stair landing, camera in hand waiting...waiting...waiting. In the distance I could see color, but much too far away for a photo. I've been patiently waiting ever since. They are migratory here and I think that the four days was my window of opportunity. So, I am reporting my encounter and secretly hoping that Murphy's law kicks in and I get an outstanding photo minutes after this blog post goes live :)</P> <P>Another tick mark on my Florida birdy life list, and a blurry reminder...but a reminder nonetheless, of a very rewarding encounter. Head on over to the Cornell site to see beautiful photos of this magnificent beauty</FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial>. <A href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Painted_Bunting/">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Painted_Bunting/</A> so you can share what I saw with my own two eyes.</FONT></P></DIV>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955664405900704182.post-84218541785209885272013-01-14T13:56:00.001-05:002013-01-14T13:56:31.170-05:00One for the Bugguide record books!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLuWu3WPIPo/UPRU34Qg_jI/AAAAAAAAASw/ka6Mv-ZIQ4A/s1600/orangeWhitemoth-791171.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLuWu3WPIPo/UPRU34Qg_jI/AAAAAAAAASw/ka6Mv-ZIQ4A/s320/orangeWhitemoth-791171.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5833380736322829874" /></a></p><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>In March of 2010 I had taken a photo of a moth and spent the better part of an hour trying to I.D. it by comparing to pictures at bugguide.net. No Luck, so I posted the photo at that website. One of the resident moth experts wrote the following: </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>"Probably 3731.96 - Sparganothis n. sp.</DIV> <DIV class=comment-body>This is a pretty good match for a specimen from Alabama found in the Mississippi Entomological Museum where it is labeled as an undescribed new species."</DIV> <DIV class=comment-body> </DIV> <DIV class=comment-body>So, I moved it to that genus and left it to languish with others that didn't have enough detail to be identified as to species.</DIV> <DIV class=comment-body> </DIV> <DIV class=comment-body>This past week I received a "subscription update" on my entry. Seems that another of the experts moved my entry to </DIV> <DIV class=comment-body>Cenopis unicolorana - Hodges#3707.1 (Cenopis unicolorana), a new guide page he created. </DIV> <DIV class=comment-body> </DIV> <DIV class=comment-body>I'm pleased to say that my encounter with photos is the ONLY one listed for this species.</DIV> <DIV class=comment-body> </DIV> <DIV class=comment-body>You can see the posting here: <A href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/379551/bgimage">http://bugguide.net/node/view/379551/bgimage</A></DIV></FONT>Lorethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06987742935711620772noreply@blogger.com6