Nature Friday ~ March 10, 2023

Welcome to Friday where we join our friends from Adventures of the LLB Gang with glimpses of Nature from around our urban ‘Hood as well as Southern Colorado. With the official arrival of Spring on the calendar a mere two weeks away, there are more subtle signs that the landscape is beginning to wake up. Hi, there, just us two Ranch Hand editors sharing a few scenes from around the area.

Norman: So Mum’s sister from Texas came to visiting their Dad in Southern Colorado so we came down for a few days to visit and wanted to share some sights from life in the 719 as well as a few scenes from earlier in week from the Big City. Plus I know my Grandpa absolutely adores me and was especially concerned after I was sick last week. He needed to make sure I was in tip-top shape.

Elsa:  You’re still milking that pancreatitis thing, aren’t you? Life around the Ranch has been windy and dry so Mom is keeping her eagle eyes peeled for signs of color. She squealed when she saw these tiny crocuses between the sidewalk and lawn. That’s definitely a sign that Spring is on its way, right?

Early crocuses

Norman: Cute little buggers, aren’t they? With such a nice pop of purple, it made them fairly easy to spot but Mum thinks most people just walk past them because they so tiny.

Elsa: Right about that, brother. But you know what Mom says about Spring Bulbs?

Norman & Elsa {barked in two part harmony and in unison}: DON’T LET YOUR PET EAT ANY SPRING BULBS-THEY’RE TOXIC TO US 4-LEGGED FUR BABIES.

Norman: Mum took us for a walk a couple of days ago before heading south Mum spied this grass seed head. It was rather stunning against the wooden fence. All those lovely shades of tawny brown.

Elsa: {interrupting} You just wanted to sniff it, you could care less about how it looks!

Norman: Ahem…that’s not completely true. I’ll have you know I can appreciate an interesting picture as much as the next bloke.

Elsa: {giggling} Right. You keep telling yourself stuff like that, maybe one day you’ll actually believe it.

Norman: I rather do believe it now, thank you very much. Not everything is about the neighborhood pee bulletin board, I’ll have you know, little sister.

Elsa: Uh-huh…sure. Whatever.

Norman: {moving along} Did you know this week we had a Full Moon? Seems as though it was the third and final full Moon for the northern hemisphere’s winter season which took place and  fell on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Did you know it’s referred to as the “Worm Moon” in some parts of the world because of the ground temperatures are warming allowing earthworms to come to the surface. Mum didn’t have her big camera so only was able to take this shot with her cell phone.

Elsa: It won’t win any Pulitzer prize, but it was interesting how  the clouds seemed to pull back with the Moon in the middle, almost like a curtain, so I guess that’s kinda cool.

Norman:  Very cool. So let’s share some of the sights we saw once we arrived at Grandpa’s house. The sunsets and sunrises are always quite stunning and Mum never tires of seeing them on the prairie. Check out this sunset shortly after we arrived. Is this a great country or what?

Elsa: Yeah, the sunsets are only surpassed by the sunrises. Mom really likes that time of day…it’s quiet and you can’t beat the colors. Especially against all the brown that tends to dominate the scenery this time of year. Check out this progression of light. This series started when it was fairly dark. But chilly.

Norman: You can say that again. 22ºF but when a mate has to go…well it makes you do your business and then trolly back into the house quickly.

Elsa: Us girls may have stronger bladders than you boys, although I can practically pee on demand whenever I go outside.

Norman:  No need to remind me. Sunrise didn’t take long. Check out the next pic.

Elsa: Those are some pretty colors over the Greenhorn Mountains. And you can still see a few spots of snow on some of those peaks.

Norman: It was quite the trio of sunrise pics. Here’s the last one of the series. The sun came up fairly quickly after that. And I noticed Mum managed to capture a shot with the moon hanging over the mountains.

Elsa: Well, as they say in Hollywood, that’s a wrap. We hope you have a terrific weekend. Make sure you can get outside and see what Nature is dishing up.

Norman: Cheerio, mates!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

44 thoughts on “Nature Friday ~ March 10, 2023

  1. Lavinia Ross – Lavinia Ross - Born and raised in Connecticut, Lavinia has always enjoyed music as far back as she can remember. She considers herself to be of “mixed” cultural heritage, which has contributed to her general love of music. Her mother, a New Englander by birth, was working down in the southeast Kentucky mountains with the Frontier Nursing Service when she met Lavinia’s father, a Kentucky native, who had just returned from WWII. Lavinia first learned to play guitar from her brothers when she was in grade school and dreamed of playing in coffee houses someday. A fine musician in her own right, and solo performer at folk festivals, she now resides with her husband and blues musician Rick Ross, and an unlikely collection of 4 “cats of personality” in the beautiful Cascade foothills in Sweet Home, Oregon. There on Salmon Brook Farm they raise fruits, and vegetables along with some home-spun folk music. http://salmonbrookfarms.wordpress.com
    Lavinia Ross says:

    The photos are quite beautiful! Glad to hear you are feeling better after the pancreatitis episode.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Thank you! Spring is taking it’s sweet time arriving but we’re hopeful it’ll be worth it. 🍀 Have a great weekend. 🍀

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Many thanks. On both counts. 😉

  2. Any sign of spring is more than welcome for us!

    Norman, big sisfurs should keep their yaps shut, and keep their noses out of our business, amiright? ~Latte

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      My dear Latte, I think you absolutely make a great point. I’ll tell Mum-let her break the news to the troublesome sister. 🤣

  3. Lulu: “A worm moon? Interesting … I wonder if I could find some nightcrawlers to roll around in …”
    Chaplin: “I’m sure Mama would think that was delightful. You should totally do it!”

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Umm, we’re just guessing but probably think your Mum wouldn’t be all that keen on as good worm roll.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      You’re too kind, Bruce. We are very fortunate to be able to enjoy amazing sunrises, sunsets and crystal clear blue skies. Hope you had a lovely weekend.

  4. BellaDharma an BellaSita Mum – On Georgian Bay..... – Welcome to THE Purrfect Pad. My name is Sherri-Ellen & my current Kitty Girl is BellaDharma a black part Siamese cat. I started blogging in August 2005 on Yahoo 360 with Mingflower my Bluepoint Siamese. Then transferred to Multiply...Mingflower went to Summerland & NYLABLUE my BluePoint Siamese/Burmese cross took over. When Multiply was closing a handful of our blogging friends recommended WordPress & we found a home here & made many new friends. Everyone followed the antics & struggles of NYLABLUE until her passing Nov. 22nd, 2014 to Summerland. A week later a little bouncing Burmese boy I met at a local adoption event joined me here! Dec. 9th, 2014. Purrince Siddhartha Henry came to live with me & regaled us with his journey towards 'Enlightenment'. He was a Burmese Buddhist with many health issues but he searched for meaning in his Life. After his lifelong struggle with Panleukopenia. Siddhartha Henry lost his battle & left for Pure Land August 28th, 2018. He was only 4 years & 1 month old. I've never totally gotten over the loss of my "Little Man". And this is where I get VERY serious. This Purrfect Pad blog is not all sunshine & roses. This blog is about REAL life with special needs cats who come into my life. We share our time together & we share the good, the bad & the ugly. This is a REAL blog. Yes we DO laugh & have fun & take Selfies! And we share each cat's struggles whether health issues or behavioural problems. And we share about my ongoing battle with 3 health conditions that can render me unable to walk plus having Cirrhosis of Liver & Seizures. We ask our friends & followers to respect that THE Purrfect Pad is anything but 'purrfect'. I am disabled & each of my cats' have had special needs. Everyone is welcome here as long as you are kind & respectful. If you have questions feel free to ask them. Sept. 6th, 2018 BellaDharma aka Baby Girl joined THE Purrfect Pad. We hope all of you will follow our life together as BellaDharma learns how to be a domesticated cat instead of a semi-feral one.... Love, Peace & Treets, Sherri-Ellen (BellaSita Mum) & BellaDharma & 'angels' Purrince Siddhartha Henry; Nylablue 'Sweet Feet' & Mingflower the Merciless & all my other cats who have shared my life with me. You are all loved & remembered...
    BellaDharma an BellaSita Mum says:

    Speck-taculur fotoss Miss Monika!!!! Such beeuteefull Sunrisess an Sunsetss!
    An those wee Crocusess are so purrty! An THE wheat stick iss furry gee-o-metrick!
    Wee still have snow here an chilley.
    An wee missed takin a foto of THE Moon as BellaSita did not know what nite Full Moon was
    **sighss**
    Yore foto of Full Moon iss beeuteefull an Sweet Norman an Elsa THE cloudss due look like curtainss openin up to show off THE Moon!
    Don’t furget to Spring Forward onn yore clockss tonite or tomorrow!
    ~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an {{{huggiess}}} BellaSita Mum

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Many thanks. That pic was two days late but it was still pretty cool.

  5. Yay on family coming to visit! Good times.
    What lovely photos. I love sunsets! And the blue sky is awesome! Happy weekend to all of you! Happy for Spring and getting outdoors again. 🙂

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Thank you. That sky was so intense. It only lasted a few minutes but boy was it worth it!

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Many thanks. We hope you and the Z-kids have a wonderful weekend.

  6. Excellent pictures of the sky, Monika, and what a wise conversation you two had, Elsa and Norman. Here come some Healing Pawkisses just for you, sweet boy and for the both of you a Double Pawkiss too🐾😽💞

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Thank you. We so enjoy the wide open skies when we visit with our grandpa. Have a lovely weekend.

  7. Dalton,Benji aka Meezer’s Mews & Terrieristical Woofs – We're Angel-Pipo & Angel-Minko-WeBeesSiameezers! And Angel-MrJackFreckles was our barky doggy brofur. And now we have Dalton and Benji , our little doggy brofurs. MJF: April 30, 2002; Gotcha Day: June 10, 2002; RB Day: Feb 5, 2018. Pipo: Dec 26, 2004; Gotcha Day: Feb 14, 2005. RBDay: Nov3,2020; Minko: Dec 29, 2004; Gotcha Day: Feb 14, 2005; RB Day: June 18, 2017. Dalton: Gotcha Day Sept 27, 2017 Birthday: Unknown...probably sometime in 2016...he has been assigned a Birthday: Aug 20, 2016. Benji: Birthday: June6,2018; GotchaDay: Dec 28, 2019 So we are Dalton & Benji...enjoy our blog:)
    Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs says:

    Beautiful images, all of them…esp the little crocus sprites! Our snowdrops were in bloom, and then they got a rude surprise for the second time…third storm in 3 weeks…we got around 7 or 8 inches of heavy wet snow…again…and might get more on Sunday. Blah…

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Winter has long overstayed its welcome, we think. Stay warm.

  8. I’ll take your sunrises or your sunsets . . either or, they’re both spectacular. As are the two narrators of this Friday jaunt. I love the way they do their round up the way I love purple flowers . . and I love purple flowers, much.

    22 degrees? Nope.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Yeah, it was a bit ‘crisp’ this morning but it’s nearly 70ºF now. If it weren’t for that doggone wind. Argh. Our Mum likes purple flowers too so she’ll always swoop down on them…wherever they are. Have a splendid weekend, Marc.

        1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
          Tails Around the Ranch says:

          We call it, Springtime in the Rockies. 🤣

  9. Sooo pretty!, we have a few crocuses but also 3 inches of snow on top of them! Argh!

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Oh boy, nothing like some snow to make you appreciate Spring bulbs. We have some of that dreaded white stuff in the forecast next week. Sigh.

  10. Oooo, we can see the moon like it’s on a stage with the stage curtains. Cool picture, Miss Monika! Mom said a lot of awns (grass seed heads) are dangerous to dogs, so be sure those that y’all are sniffing aren’t the kind that have tiny barbs that stick in your nose and face and mouth and other places. XOX Lucy
    We voted and agreed that Miss Monika already knows those awns (not to be confused with yawns) aren’t the ones that can hurt you. XOX Xena

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Norman: Yeah, our Mum is a stickler about me putting my face in things like that because of all my hair. She can be a real kill-sport
      Elsa: She just doesn’t want you peeing on plants. FYI, no dogs were harmed in the photographing of awns or Spring bulbs. 😊

  11. John W. Howell – South Texas Gulf Coast – I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.
    John W. Howell says:

    Beautiful photos of the sky, Monika

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Why thank you, John. Here’s wishing you a wonderful weekend.

      1. John W. Howell – South Texas Gulf Coast – I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.
        John W. Howell says:

        Wishing you a wonderful weekend as well

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Much like New Mexico, the sunrises and sunsets are pretty gorgeous here.

  12. onespoiledcat – Virginia – We are Angel Sammy and Teddy......! Two ginger cats - one left for the Rainbow Bridge in December of 2016 (but still keeps in touch...) and the other in the "here and now" having lots of fun. Join us as we try to bring smiles to everyone around us with our blog.
    onespoiledcat says:

    Oh my – what beautiful photos AND I bet you all enjoyed that trip to visit family. My Mom says that Mother Nature is a wonderful artist and that she knows just how to paint the sky and landscape with color.

    Hugs, Teddy

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Thank you. Mother Nature definitely knows how to paint!

  13. Kate Crimmins – Retired Human Resources executive with two bossy cats ready to share insights, experiences and wisdom to make you laugh and think in new ways.
    Kate Crimmins says:

    You had a lovely trip!

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      It’s always fun when the family get together. Tomorrow, a trip up to the high country.

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      With less light pollution, the sunsets and sunrises are pretty amazing down here. Yes, the family is good sized and spread all over the country. When someone comes back to Colorado, we like to greet them in person and catch up.

  14. These are stunning photographs….the composition, the colours…really uplifting!

    1. Tails Around the Ranch – Denver, CO – The inspiration behind this blog was one knuckleheaded Standard Poodle named Sam but is now inspired by a House Pony-Wilson. I'm Monika, the upright. Living in the Denver metro area, we post about dogs, rescue and nature. So grab your favorite beverage and be prepared to howl along with our adventures. And don't forget to bark your 'pup-tacular' comment; we'd love to hear from you.
      Tails Around the Ranch says:

      Thanks, Helen. The colors are truly spectacular. Have a great weekend.

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