Nature Photography – Page 9 – Gardens For Goldens

Wordless Wednesday: Reawakening

Walk With Me: II

My work commute is an hour drive each way. Not fun. The good news is that it puts me out of town and within walking distance of tucked away walking trails filled with old oaks, small ponds and flocks of birds. Walk with me through some protected trails in Roseville, CA.

Fifty years ago, there was nothing here but miles of oak trees.

A suburban city sprouted, but someone had the foresight to set aside designated open space – areas where natural beauty would remain for the generations to come.

It remains largely unspoiled – save for a few forgotten or visiting treasures.

Oh to be as free as a bird and stay all day.

Someday.

Walk With Me

After all the year-end projects are finished and the holidays are put away – my mind goes blank, and my motivation flies right out the window. It’s time to get outside and clear the head. Getting off the beaten path and out in nature returns perspective – and appreciation. I hope you don’t mind me taking you off our usual garden/rescue path for a short detour.

“Sometimes we must unfocus our way to clarity.” ~ Terri Guillemets

It’s so easy to get lost in our daily lives. Tasks take on undue importance until we return them to their proper place. Headlines make us worry for the world we share. On sheltered trails under big blue skies –

by the pond’s edge on cold, crystal days –

all of it is temporarily shed and I’m reminded of all the beauty this world holds.

“If you do not raise your eyes you will think that you are the highest point.” ~ Antonio Porchia

Restoration and rejuvenation lead to innovation and renewed passion – in any undertaking. Change your point of view, and be reminded of the world’s good grace.

I took a couple of days off to walk our American River trails and explore the nearby Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary. The creatures were not as cooperative as my camera would have liked, but that’s OK.

It made me look up. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but I do resolve to do this more – and to bring others along. So thanks for walking with me.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

Wordless Wednesday: Petrified

Wordless Wednesday: Black Phoebe Showoff

The Seeds of Today and Yesterday

“Memory is the power to gather roses in winter.” ~ Author Unknown

Gardens don’t have memories. They die back in winter and come forth in spring to show the results of our hard work – or the havoc the birds and nature have sown.

But surely, they have souls.

Each year the garden is reincarnated; reborn. Taking on a remarkably similar, but changed version of its former self. It’s journey – a combination of planning and happenstance.

A blogger I admire – Will, of Will and Eko “Marking our Territory” fame – wrote a beautiful tribute this week to his brother’s dog, Dutch, titled “On Losing a Dog.” If you haven’t read it; you should. He captures so perfectly the grief we feel when our most accepting companions leave us. But there was one line I could not shake. He wrote: “A dog has no journey of their own, no thoughts of past or future, so they give themselves fully to us in a way no person ever could.”

Will is right that a dog’s journey is largely controlled by others, but the dogs we rescue at Homeward Bound most definitely have pasts – and memories of them. Some are very hard to let go. We have seen dogs that mourn the loss of their human or canine sibling; others that have been traumatized or mistreated. One of our newest arrivals, Missy, is clearly thinking only of her past. Surrendered for a minor transgression, she does not understand why she has gone from family dog to homeless dog, or why she was left in a place she finds so overwhelming. Shaking, tail tucked, her body language says “I’m afraid.”

As soon as she sees the vet, we will hope to have her in foster. Gorgeous, she should have no problem finding a home. We will guide her on a new journey – with a secure and loving future. And she will, no doubt, give herself fully and gratefully to a person who will make her feel safe and loved.

“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today and yesterday.” ~ Chinese proverb

Wordless Wednesday: Suspended

Bird Bath

Bath and a blow dry following a (welcome) light rain.

Who you looking at?

In today walks tomorrow

Each rose has its season…

Each season has it’s time.

And every dog has its day…or so we hope. This weekend, more of our little puppies had theirs. From twelve, we are down to three – with “going homes” celebrated Saturday for Sydney –

and for Miranda and Nix, lucky littermates who went home together.

Fall marks an end…

And also a beginning.

Today marked an important end for Rosie. She will no longer live the existence of a nameless breeder dog; and the pink dye that was used to identify her and her pups is now washed away.

Today is her beginning. With time and patience, her fear will also be washed away – replaced with trust. Here is the beginning of that process in Carolyn’s capable hands:

“And in today already walks tomorrow.” ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Happy tomorrow, Sydney, Miranda, Nix and Rosie.

Wordless Wednesday: Spider Bridge

Why Heaven Made Dogs

“If Heaven made him — earth can find some use for him.” ~ Chinese Proverb

As our garden matures, it has found purpose beyond beauty. Our compost now makes soil. Our passion vine feeds caterpillars –

that turn into beautiful Gulf Fritillary butterflies.

Nature has a way of creating purposeful pairs…Monarchs and their symbiotic relationship with Butterfly Weed;

Birds and their perches;

Lizards and turtles?

Apparently in our garden – if no where else. Spring needs Fall;

Bees need flowers;

And dogs need homes. Among others, Daphne and Delilah found theirs together this weekend…

And Indy, too.

And why did heaven make dogs?

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog; it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.” ~ E. Jong