The Mom: So little miss…what do you have this week?
Elsa: Well I wanted to show everyone what autumn looks like on the prairie. It was breezy but the wind behaves differently in southern Colorado.
The Mom: Well it does tend to ‘move things’ around like leaves, tumbleweeds, but because it’s so wide open at Dad’s house, raking is a lot different than in the city.
Elsa: You got that right! The wind messes with my Sherlock Holmes nose and I had mega problems picking up bunny scents. I did manage to find all the presents that the neighbor’s horse left on the ground.
The Mom: {interrupting} ahem…and yes, we don’t need to get into how you tried to enjoy snacking on them, either.
Elsa: Yeah, I was disappointed. When I managed to almost, so-close nosh on one, I wasn’t keen on you’re quick yank on my leash, dragging me back on the road.
The Mom: No need to tempt the gods with an upset digestive system, yanno.
Elsa: Aww, man, you are always harshing on my fun.
The Mom: Just trying to keep you save, sweetie.
Elsa: More like being a control freak. But I digress.
The Mom: So what caught your eye on this trip?
Elsa: Well I’m gonna tell you, this wheel thing sure had me do a double take. You uprights…you throw the weirdest things in your gardens.
The Mom: Well, I thought it was kinda cool if you’re into sort of thing. Nothing like an old wagon wheel-axle to bring the West to a garden.
Elsa: Umm…weird, Mom, just weird. This ain’t the O.K. Corral, okay!
The Mom: Art is in the eye of the beholder, toots.
Elsa: {head shaking} Guess I guess we just have to agree to disagree. Anyway, we probably should move on. One thing about the prairie that I like is how wide open the vista is. As far as the eye can see, there’s stuff to check out along the horizon. I noticed you neglected to include Pikes Peak (which was off to the far right) in your photo.
The Mom: I thought I had it but clearly not. Too bad, too. There was a touch of snow on the back side that people who drive south on I-25 never get to see. But at least that ancient piñon tree stands out.
Elsa: That it does. I was disappointed we didn’t see any antelope. Talk about weird. They stand out on the plains and just blink and stare. Why won’t they come closer like the donkeys do?
The Mom: Well they’re just being cautious around potential predators.
Elsa: {beaming with pride} Huh…so I’m considered a potential predator, eh? Well, color me proud!
The Mom: Umm, that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Elsa: It is when you’re a Ninja. People respect you.
The Mom: {eyes rolling} One thing about life on the prairie is the sunrises are pretty spectacular. The orange light can wake a person up from a sound sleep.
Elsa: It was pretty bright. But very cool…it allowed me to look for bunnies first thing in the morning in the early morning light.
The Mom: Yeah, all that sniffing for bunnies in the ‘crisp’ early morning light isn’t really taking care of the business at hand, if you know what I mean.
Elsa: Hey, a girl’s gotta explore. You said it yourself…us dogs process our world through our noses and if I go a little bit off the reservation, that’s called enrichment.
The Mom: Enrichment, eh? Guess I need to make a note to myself to be bundled up while you’re enriching yourself.
Elsa: Well duh, Mom! Sheesh, that goes without saying. Think of it like the Boy Scouts do. Be prepared.
The Mom: O-kay. Got it. {eyes rolling again}
Elsa: Hey! I see you rolling your eyes…again. That’s kinda rude, Mom.
The Mom: Umm, er…sorry. So what else do you have?
Elsa: Clever deflection, Mom. At times, you actually think like me. Well, we always walk past this neighbor’s house when we visit my Grandpa and this was the first time I actually got to investigate the rabbit brush. I could tell lots of bunnies hide out in it. But where the heck were they when we walked by? I mean, you know I’m a good hunter and I saw bupkis. That’s no bueno, Mom.
The Mom: I’m sure you’ll see them again soon. We are headed down to see Grandpa again for Thanksgiving.
Elsa: {excitedly} Ooh, can’t wait. Maybe I’ll even see a bunny in the yucca plants. The flowers have gone to seed and I’ll bet they eat those black seeds.
The Mom: Maybe. I’ve never have seen one close by. No doubt those stiff spines tend to protect them. I’m sure the birds are more interested than the rabbits.
Elsa: One thing about the prairie this time of year, it’s sure full of various shades of brown at first look. But when you’re ace hunter with a killer nose like me, you notice all the tawny shades. You uprights would do well to notice nuances like that. Too bad you don’t have excellent sniffers.
The Mom: That’s true, we tend to be more visual. But there are lots of shades in the brown family on the prairie right now. This snakeweed for instance was gloriously orangey with tones of brown. It was everywhere and the spent flowers stuck to your legs and my socks like Velcro.
Elsa: Yeah, I had to ‘evacuate’ those pesky stickery things with my teeth. Next time maybe I’ll let you brush me after our walk.
The Mom: Wait…what? You’d actually let me brush you without a fight? I know you’re not all that keen on brushing.
Elsa: Well I know you at least have my best interests at heart. How about we take a “let’s wait and see” approach?
The Mom: Uh-huh…that’s what I thought. Just remember it’s for your own good.
Elsa: Yeah, you keep telling me that. Well that’s all I got this week. I know you got stuff to take care of this morning so how about we tell folks to have a good weekend and be sure to get outside and enjoy autumn…wherever they are.
The Mom: Sounds like a plan. I agree with Elsa…be sure to enjoy the weekend and enjoy the beauty of Nature in autumn, wherever you are.
Elsa: Hey, I’m supposed to have the last word. Have a ‘wagnificent’ weekend. And don’t forget to click on the link to see what everyone else shared about Nature on the website of the LLB gang. And say hi to Rosy and Sunny from me.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Sorry I am so late. These pictures are gorgeous Monika. And I am happy to read that your Dad is okay. I know you are probably still hanging out with him this Thanksgiving weekend. Hope it is still going wonderfully!
Not a problem. I’ve been without Wi-Fi for the past week. Thank you for the kind comment and thoughts. 💙 Good grief, i can’t do anything without Wi-Fi!! 😂
I know what you mean. No Wi-Fi, no Bueno!!
Talk about being marooned! It’s gonna take some time to catch up. 🤦🏼♀️
Oy!! We do the best we can, eh?
👍🏻
Wow, both those sky pictures are wagnificent! Maybe someday I will manage to get to CO. Oh, and Xena wants to know what kind of bunnies you’re hunting, Elsa, as in jack rabbits?
Aww, thank you. The skies are on fire in the morning and crystal blue during the day for the most part lately. Really stunning in what usually is drab this time of year. A trip to Colorado would be so worth it, trust me. 😉
Elsa: Jack (and Jill) bunnies. Whatever hops, I’m going for it.
I’m glad to hear things got better, Monika. The photos are gorgeous. Elsa reminds me of a dog my grandparents adopted long, long ago. Hugs.
Thank you. She’s special in a Ninja sort of way 😍 She’d be special even if she didn’t have epilepsy.
In my teens I had a Pekinese that was epileptic, among other health issues. She was a clever little thing, not to mention a heart-stealer.
Makes you wonder if God makes epi-dogs more special because they have to deal with the seizures, doesn’t it? 💙
And they are safe! at home on the range!
Positive vibes and good energy going out to you two this coming holiday week. May the vistas be as spectacular as this gallery and may all good things lay ahead.
Many thanks for the positive vibes and energy. Wishing you and yours a bountiful Thanksgiving.
Back atcha mama.
🙂
Thanks for sharing these lovely autumn scenes.
Our pleasure. Thank YOU, Sue!
What gloriously beautiful prairie photos! Not so sure how I feel about consuming horse poop BUT “to each his own” – right? Tee Hee
Hugs, Teddy
That really surprised Mom…I’m more into eating wool socks kind of girl so it caught her off guard. {snicker}
Hoping all is now well. Glorious colours!
Thanks for the kind wishes and the sweet comment. Hope springs eternal. 🤞🏼
Beeuteefull prairie fotoss Elsa an Miss Monika…such blue skiess an golden colorss an those sunrisess are speck-taculur!!!!!
Wishin both of youss’ a beeuteeeful weekend…..
***nose rubss*** BellaDharma an (((hugss))) BellaSita Mum
Aww, as always, you say the nicest things. Thank you!
I like the fun back and forth (bark and forth?) and the lovely colors.
Bark and forth! Ha…good one, Dan. Thanks. Mind if I steal that some time?
Not at all 🙂
All our fall color has pretty much faded to brown now too. The prairie would be fun if we could just run and run without a leash, but that won’t happen. One of these days we will do nose work in CO, but the ones we have entered and gotten in are tiny places with old, not so nice, expensive hotels. We’ll keep on trying. Happy Weekend!
50 shades of…brown! Lovely!
Thank you. Normally brown can be pretty boring but the autumn light sure spiced things up. Have a furbulous weekend!
In nature brown isn’t all bad except in February when I’ve had my fill of it! 🙂
Brown in February IS the pits!
I tried to leave a comment in the Chrome browser, but I got kicked out…phooey. WP is so unpredictable…and annoying!
Anypaws:
We think all those varied shades of brown and oranginess are so pretty! That prairie region has so much beauty.
We’ve had some wonderful weather here the past few days, but today’s chilly and blustery…with more seasonal weather in the near forecast…time to get out the winter coats and mitts.
Sorry you continue to have commenting issues. WP can be persnickety at time. Bless you for taking the time to still comment…especially during a birthday month. What the dog, WP-be nice at least then!
The autumn weather has been gorgeous though I know winter will rear it’s nasty head at some point in the near future. Till then, let’s enjoy it as much as possible!
The prairie is so beautiful, so amazing to see so far, I love it. The colors are so soft.
Many thanks. I’ve always had a thing about the prairie…there’s so much going on in those wide vistas. Have a fabulous weekend!
Thank you the same.
… exceptional journalism on the run – Ninja Chronicles plus crazy good photos! Thank you!
So many beautiful captures!! Hey Elsa…we have a bunny that is living under our Yucca too, I keep trying to catch him, but it’s awfully prickly under there!
xoxo,
Rosy
You have a bunny? I’m so jealous. Mom saw one recently but he hopped away lickety split. Man those little rascals are quick, aren’t they?
P.S. For some inexplicable reason, WP spammed your comment. Mom just saw it. Sorry.
Your friend,
Elsa 🐾
I’ve never spent any time on a prairie, it’s beautiful! But those sticky things are a pain… not bad for Chester but ugh poodle hair would be tough! Have a great weekend!
Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the mountains, but the prairies…they just make my heart sing with joy. Poodle hair and wool socks do not mesh well with stickers and spent dried flowers. LOL
Beautiful photos – great job.
Thanks so much, Debra. Very kind of you.
Elsa, … thanks for leading Mom through this post. She probably doesn’t realize how helpful you are. She provided a wonderful collection … especially the second and third pictures. Enjoy your weekend and the Broncos resurgence!
Oh lord, please don’t get her hopes up with the Broncos. I can barely live with her and her hockey team, let alone a squad of buffoons with a lousy coach and defensive coordinator. 😆 P.S. Mom says she’s sorry about Burrows’ injury for the Bengals. Hopefully the league won’t ding the team too badly about that injury report.
now that we moved here I can really relate to the tumbleweeds, and open prairie
LeeAnna
Tumbleweeds are a category onto themselves. But it can be fun to watch the wind send them in a variety of directions! Enjoy a beautiful weekend before the holiday!
Charlee: “An autumn wind that blows leaves and tumbleweeds around sounds like a good show to us!”
Maybe fun to watch, but when one of those suckers runs over you, you won’t think the same way. Those babies bite…er rather scratch.
P.S. Apparently WP has gone off the rails-it spammed your comment. Sorry, Mom just found it. Our apologies.
Your fur-iend,
Elsa 🐾
I’m glad you were able to visit family, but sorry about things taking a turn for the worse. I’m glad they are better now!
That sunrise is so gorgeous!
Sorry Elsa, I agree with your Mom. The wagon in the yard is kinda cool.
Happy Weekend to you both!🧡🧡 Enjoy! We are having mild temps for this time of year, so we are enjoying being outside while we can. The bitter cold will soon be here!
Cool? You’ve got to be joking. Baby ducks are cool. 🤣 It was a little dicey for a few days but I think/hope we’re on the way to better days. 🤞🏼 Enjoy the beautiful weather.
💕
That was just supposed to be a smiley face emoticon… 🙂
And it was, so no worries. {winking emoticon}
Glad to hear that things are better.
And I’m glad somebody else loves a High Plains fall! You have to be a connoisseur to appreciate them. 🙂
While I love the mountains, there is something quite exquisite about the plains. Maybe because I grew up near them with the mountains in the distance, but there is something very fascinating about the teeming life on the prairie. So much environmental stuff happening, it’s mind blowing!
we love all this brown colors… they have something comfy, as if the nature looks for a place on the sofa to watch tv till next spring :o)
With the golden light, it’s easy to see the various shades. Goodness knows, there won’t be a lot of luxuriating on the sofa soon…wind will bring some snow and then the real action begins. But until then, we can enjoy vegetation until the flat winter light arrives. 😁 Have a great weekend!