Nature Friday ~ September 6, 2024

Changing leavesWelcome to the first Friday of September. With a flip of the page on the calendar, we’re now seeing the golden glow of the promise that autumn is on its way, set to arrive in less than 3 weeks with nature beginning to transition. Hallelujah! As always, we’re joining those two adorable pups from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Don’t forget to click on their link to see what others have shared.

Elsa here and as you can see above, some leaves are beginning to change a bit. Our early morning walks have been crisp and we’re loving it. As you may recall, we went to visit our Grandpa for his 94th birthday last weekend and boy was it fun! So let’s get this party started and share some of the amazing sights we encountered.

Wilson: That’s right little sister, we did see some amazing things. First off I went on an honest to gosh sniff-ari! Boy, I had no idea sniffing could be so much fun. Look what I discovered…the remnants of some critter (probably an antelope). Doggone it though, Mum wouldn’t let me get too close to the bones but just inhaling their scent was amazing. I wanted to carry one of those bones with me but Mum said no way.

Wilson sniffing

Elsa: Thank goodness. The last thing Grandpa would appreciate is some nasty chewed up bone in the house.

Wilson: Well it would have been better than some of the things I discovered along our walk. These burs were everywhere and they kept sticking to my ankles and paws and they even stuck to Mum’s paws too.

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Elsa: Even I had a couple in my paws but when I met the ‘neigh-bors’ I didn’t mind one bit. Mom was really surprised how excited I was while you just barked at them and wouldn’t even get close enough to introduce yourself. So rude, dude!

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Wilson: Erm…I’m not used to meet fellow ponies. The little lizards were more my type…and I enjoyed chasing them although I didn’t even get close to introducing myself.

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Elsa: {eyes rolling} You are such a moron. We had such a good time hanging out on the patio with the family who were more than happy to rub my ears. What a great trip! And Mom never gets tired of the view of Pikes Peak. Some  grasses were a beautiful golden color while other areas were lush and green. Mom thought the area was much more verdant than here in Denver since they had experienced a few recent rain showers. Thankfully we finally received a lovely shower early Thursday morning. I was bunny hopping to start out our walks because it felt great. Mom says the weekend forecast will return to summertime with 90’s  making a comeback and dry conditions for this next week. Ugh-way to bring us back down to earth, Mom.

Pikes Peak

Wilson: Once we returned back home after our visit, we started noticing how things are starting to look somewhat autumnal in the Mile High. One thing that’s decidedly not autumnal was a blooming lupine which really shocked Mum. They typically bloom in the spring. What the bloody…

Lupine

Elsa: The squirrels are going bananas because of all the acorns falling everywhere.

Acorn

Acorn

Wilson: Squirrels?? Ooh, maybe I’ll get lucky and catch one because they’ll be too busy collecting nuts. A bloke can only hope.

Elsa: Don’t hold your breath, House Pony. They’re doggone wily and downright devious and sure as heck aren’t interested in meeting up with the likes of us.

Wilson: Bollocks! And here I was hoping…

Elsa: Down ace..don’t get your knickers in a bunch. We will have to use our superior brains if we want to catch any of those guys. That and hope that Mom doesn’t reel us in. But…if you zig and I zag, maybe just maybe…

Wilson: Hmm, you’re giving me something to think about plot over the weekend. While I’m creating a plan we’ll leave you with one last photo from our neighborhood. Mum had never seen this colorful welcoming post but was quite chuffed when she did see it. It seemed so friendly. Have a great weekend and don’t forget to notice little things like this when you’re out and about. Have a great weekend.

Welcome sign

Nature Friday

Live, love, bark 🐾

55 thoughts on “Nature Friday ~ September 6, 2024

  1. Another winner of a chicken dinner walk, kids.

    Sounds like Wilson has a . . . wait for it . . . bone to pick with mum. So it’s a good thing Elsa was around to talk some sense into her brother. Good going girl!

    Love that post!

    1. You’re too kind, Marc. Thank you. Wilson fancies himself as a foodie…but only in the sense that he’ll eat just about anything you put in front of him. The boy loves his meals & treats.

    1. Thank you, Sue. It sure surprised me by blooming. Just goes to show Mother Nature is truly mixed up.

    1. Blech. No telling what chewed on them before Bean, and I suspect they’ve been out there for a good while.

  2. Cool bones! Chester wants to pass on some squirrel tips, like stand there and stare at them for long time until they let their guard down. Although this didn’t work that well for him, and he got wet since it’s raining…good luck house pony!

    1. Thanks. Yes, Wilson has tried the stare down tactic and been equally unsuccessful. He keeps trying to rely on his speed but Mom has sufficient ballast that he misses the mark but just by a whisker. 😉 Hope it dries out so Chester gets another shot.

    1. We hope so; autumn is our favorite season. And the colors can be very intense against clear blue skies.

  3. Sounds like you all had fun at the family gathering! You also solved a mystery mom has had for a few years. Welcoming post is what those things are called? All of the sudden they started popping up at random houses but usually with sayings about gardening. We have wondered how they got started and what they are for.

    1. We had a great time celebrating my Dad’s 94th birthday. The weather was perfect, the company even better and lots of great food and laughter.

      Not sure if that their official name but it’s what it looked like to me. Whatever they’re called, we loved the colors and sentiment.

    1. It’ll be hot next week but hopefully after that it’ll be gone for good. Enjoy the last weeks of summer!

  4. We are in the 80’s now, after some nicer days in the 70’s…but the 90’s are looming g up for the week ahead…and then a big cool off is predicted yet again…alon s=g with dreary rain filled days…its the yo-yo season!
    Wow, that lupine is rather mixed up as to what the season is.

    Your Dad lives in a beautiful area…and you are blessed to be able to enjoy it too when you’re there.

    That is a cool sign post in someone garden!

    I’ve noticed over the years here that when we have a bumper crop of acorns or walnuts then the winter is usually harsher. Oh oh!! At least we can add layers of insulation to ourselves if needed, LOL!!

    1. Thanks guys. Mom loved that sign-it’s near their front entrance. Gave her the feel goods. Hmm, that’s interesting about the acorns-it’s supposed to be the start of an El Nińo year which usually translates into colder weather. At this point in the calendar, extra ‘insulation’ sounds good. LOL

      We have no idea what was up with that lupine-it’s definitely confused. We hope you guys have a lovely weekend.

  5. Mew mew mew “Neigh-burss” guud one Wilson!! Elsa wee love all THE Nature fotoss! Acornss are startin??? Autumm iss on THE way!
    Happy Furiday an Happy weekend to all of youss’!
    ~~head rubss~~BellaDharma~~ an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum

    1. Thank you, sweet kitty and Mum. Autumn is likely to be full of fits and starts. We go back up to the 90’s this weekend and next week. Ugh-we just want summer to go away. Have a great weekend.

  6. So glad you enjoyed your trip, Monika. When we lived in Port Aransas it was burr heaven. I can’t tell you how many those nasty things I picked out of Twiggy and Lucy’s paws. I loved the photo of Pikes Peak. The sky goes on forever. Thanks for sharing

    1. Thanks, John. Those things are super plentiful this time of year just waiting for tender paws and ankle to attached their nasty selves-poor Elsa, who needs a haircut, was full of those awful burs. It was a gorgeous number of days at Dad’s house with loads of clear blue skies. We heard there was snow in the mountains to the west a couple of days ago and hope it’s a sign of an early autumn. 🤞🏼

    1. Thanks, Terry. He was very friendly and handsome but had a bunch of scars up and down on his neck. I think he had a run in with a barbed wire fence which made us sad.

    1. Thank Helen. It was a good visit. Lots of celebrating with loads of family members including little people. They’re always interesting and fun. Hope the integration of the new pup is going well and she’s fitting in nicely. Have a terrific weekend.

      1. The tiny pup has become one of the family and the poor lady is looking much better and gaining confidence, though keen on investigating everyone’s food bowl!

        1. So glad she’s fitting in. Bless her heart. We’ll continue to hope she becomes a nice segment of the gang.

    1. We’re more than ready ourselves. Summer wore out her welcome 6 weeks ago. 😉 Have a wonderful weekend.

  7. That is a lovely view! Glad you could have such a wonderful weekend! Aww on the ponies. I agree with Elsa. I would have been more intrigued with them than the lizards. Oh Wilson! LOL!
    What a pretty surprise to see the Lupine! One never knows where beauty may show up!
    Happy Friday!!

    1. Thank you.It’s so beautiful and quiet first thing in the morning; our Mom loves seeing that and hopes no more houses will mar the view. She remembers when there weren’t any out there, just that big mountain. Lupines blooming this time of year is wild-we have no idea since it’s been so hot and dry-something lupines aren’t too keen on. Here’s to a great weekend!

  8. WOWZERS what a trip and what an adventure (minus the burs that is). Horses are just like huge dogs – they’re friendly to those who are friendly to them! Such beautiful photos too – beautiful sights at every turn BUT I am sure that everyone was happy to get back HOME SWEET HOME right? Our maples are starting to turn colors too – well the leaves are anyway. We have loved having some cool days but we also know we’ll have more SUPER HOT days before Actual Fall gets here……..We also have giant acorns from our oaks – wonder if that means LOTSA SNOW???????

    Hugs, Teddy

    1. Thank you. Yeah, summer is not ready to leave just yet. Nature likes to tease around here. Heading back to the 90’s this weekend and most of next week. That’s a good question about the acorns. I haven’t seen this many before! Have a great weekend.

  9. No wonder you don’t get tired of that view! Those burs are teeny-tiny! And c’mon Wilson, those horses look so friendly…
    Beautiful lupine, too.
    I was just speaking with one of our guides who said our colour will come early this year because we had so. much. rain. Will be interesting to see, tell you what!
    Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend!

    1. Thank you. That wide open view with bird calls, prairie dog barks in the distance and a beautiful golden prairie just soothe our Mom’s soul. Looks like a new batch of boarders-we hadn’t met them before and we always stop since they’re just across the road from our Grandpa’s house. They trotted right over to meet us dogs. “Somebody’ seemed a bit intimidated and I usually ignore them but this time I trotted right up and wagged my tail. Mom is still blown away by that. Happy Friday, happy weekend!
      Your friend,
      Elsa 🐾

      1. Oh yeah… I can imagine sitting on a porch swing with that in front! How could it not soothe? And too funny that the “House Pony” was afraid of the real ponies 😉
        Lovely job, Elsa!

  10. A “sniff-ari”. Love it!
    And your lupine is lovely if late.
    The acorn crop is doing well up here on the hill, too. Did you know that deer eat acorns? I have no idea how they get the shells open.

    1. Thanks, Amy. I’ve never seen them bloom this late. Usually they do in late spring and by now they’re pretty raggedy looking. Quite the surprise especially given all the hot temps and lack of moisture this summer. I didn’t know that deer liked acorns, but it makes sense since they do have molars that could grind them and they seem more than happy to chew tree bark when they’re hungry.

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