Well, well, well…we’ve reached another Friday and are that much closer to our favorite season, autumn…which for those seeking a smattering of hope is 68 days. Happy Friday peeps. Wilson here. There are no words to describe what we’ve endured so for the benefit of Tom of Reiko’s Journey, who’s clearly exhausted about our whinging about the hot temps we shan’t say another word about it and just let the screenshot speak for itself. And because it’s Friday, we’re joining Rosy and Sunny from Adventures of the LLB Gang. Be sure to check their blog hop to see what other have shared from Nature.
We’ve had a hectic week which will continue through the weekend but we managed to find a few slices of nature on our early morning walks.
Wilson: Imagine my shock while I’m walking along nicely with Mum in the early morning houses, totally in the zone as we crossed one of four bridges along the Ralston Creek Trail and out of the corner of my eye, a creature much larger than me stotted from under the bridge and bounced off like Tigger. I was stunned, the deer was stunned and Mum was stunned. Luckily she managed to actually put aside her surprise and wonder and quickly pulled out her cell phone to capture a few shots.
The Mum: Wasn’t that encounter something else? I’m not sure which of us jumped higher with surprise.
Wilson: You’re not wrong about that. That’s a Mule Deer, an indigenous breed of deer found in the Western United States and particularly in the Great Plains. They received their name based on the size of those large ears. Although more than capable of running away from perceived predators, mule deer most often are seen “stotting” where they spring into the air, lifting all four feet off the ground simultaneously, a common trait of quadrupeds. People who live in areas where these deer can be found often refer to them as rats with hooves. They graze on trees and flowers in suburban communities, much to homeowners’ dismay.
The Mum: It was an exciting few minutes to watch this doe bounce around the landscape all the while keeping on eye of our presence on the path. She was alone and not taking any chances.
Wilson: Maybe we’ll run into her again. I’ll keep my eyes and nose at the ready. Oh, that’s your cue to keep your phone handy. Better yet, maybe bring your big camera with you more often. You missed another opportunity to capture two blue heron as three white egrets this morning. They took off before you could snap their pics.
The Mum: Well, in my defense, they were behind a metal fence which I couldn’t quite crop out of the frame and when I tried to move closer, they took flight. And not seeing anything while having to lug a heavy camera doesn’t make for a fun walk.
Wilson: Oh sure, blame them for your inability to quickly take a pic. I guess if it makes you feel better think…
The Mum: Whoa, lighten up there, House Pony. Encounters with wildlife isn’t always going to result in some award-winning photo.
Wilson: Well in this case, it resulted in no photo…award-winning or otherwise.
The Mum: Ahem…got any other pics to share, Mr. Critical?
Wilson: Well we’ve been seeing these plants called Dipsacus for a while now. Commonly known as ‘teasel,’ these tall herbaceous biennial plants have been popping up along the creek and canal. They’re anywhere from 3 to 8 feet tall (1–2.5 meters) with prickly stems and leaves, with purple, dark pink, lavender or white flowers that form a head on the end of the stems. They are considered invasive in the U.S. despite the seeds being a good winter food source for many bird populations. Teasels have been used since Roman times to comb the nap of wool.
The Mum: Lucky for us, we won’t be getting close to those stickers. I don’t want to be picking those out of my socks or your legs.
Wilson: Appreciate that Mum. So what’s the story about this tree? It sure is pretty.
The Mum: Oooh, I’m glad you asked. I love this maple tree, known as a Tatar Maple. It’s somewhat smallish tree/shrub that grows to anywhere from 13-39 ft. (4–12 m), possessing a short trunk with slender branches. The bark is thin, pale brown, and smooth at first but becomes slightly fissured as the plant ages. It produces green leaves, but the real beauty of these trees is the fruit called samaras with a beautiful rosy red color which matures in late summer and will last until early autumn. Those samaras will quiver on a slightest breeze and add even more visual interest to the landscape.
Wilson: Nice capture before the smoke began to fill the skies with haze, Mum. Speaking of smoke-filled skies, the Aspen Acres fire has now grown to nearly 100,000 acres and is the largest current fire in Colorado. It has destroyed over 800 structures and only around 36-45% contained. At least your brother’s house remains safe but officials are closely watching the winds which have been changing directions daily and is keeping residents from being able to return to their homes. Here’s a graphic of some of the historic fires in the state so you can get a sense of what people are dealing with. We continue to keep everyone affected by wildfires across the U.S. and Canada in our thoughts and prayers. I know the air quality is especially severe in the upper Midwest as well as the East Coast from all these wildfires.
The Mum: Yes, it’s been so heartbreaking that so many are still displaced. We will keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.
Wilson: Make sure to have a safe weekend, stay hydrated and please be mindful of pavement temps on tender paws. And for heavens sake, please don’t leave your pet in the car, even for a few minutes while you dash in to quickly pick up something. Please leave us at home instead.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Ouch!! That pavement is so hot!! 🙂
Definitely prayers for your continued wildfires! Sorry I forgot to mention them yesterday in my post, for I was thinking about the hazy smoke filled sky we are experiencing from Canada right now. Praying for everyone affected, and that the fires stay away from your brother’s house! I am sure that is nerve-wracking!
Ooh and YES about leaving your pets at home in this summer heat! I feel sick when I read yet one more case about a dog being left in a hot car, and children too!!! Makes my blood boil! So SAD that it continues to happen!!
On a bright note I love the deer photos! 🦌 I hope you and Wilson see it again! 🙂 And that flowering shrub is really pretty!
Happy weekend!! Stay cool!!
Thanks for the prayers, the wildfires racing across North America is heartbreaking. I hope my brother can return to his home soon.
I get really wound up when I see people walking their pets in the middle of the day when it’s over 90F. Worst yet, most of those dogs are black. I have never understood taking a pet with you in the car while you go shopping. It sends me into orbit.
Glad you enjoyed the deer pics. They are a majestic creature even if they cause havoc in a flower garden. Any day I can see wild animals on our walk makes me incredibly grateful for this new neighborhood. It’s such a balm for my soul in this crazy mixed up world and this mornings sightings were especially healing (a coyote and a white egret). I didn’t get photos but each one made me smile. Hope you have a great weekend.
Yes! 💔
Totally agree!
Wonderful to live in a neighborhood where you can see wild animals like that. Definitely heartwarming and yes, soak in whatever you can as a balm for your soul. ❤️❤️
Thanks!
I am writing an AMC story for you. 😉
Oooh, can hardly wait! Thanks for indulging me.
You are welcome 😊 I figured you would be excited. LOL!
What a beautiful maple Monika and what a treat to see a mule deer! Wishing you and sweet Wilson a happy weekend as well! 🥰❤️🐾 xxx
Why thank you, Xenia. It’s my favorite tree-I only wish there were more around. Enjoy your weekend!
Loved that maple…so graceful!
A friend in France, keen to revive old arts, set up a teasel frame to dress raw wool.To my surprise it was sturdy – and did the job!
Isn’t that maple gorgeous? There was one in my old neighborhood that I loved walking past every day.
Teasels are such a clever way to work the nap of wool in Blume metal cobs that pull and can damage the fibers whereas teasels will break before causing any damage. So brilliant! Have a lovely weekend, Helen.
Sorry about that fire in your state. Horrible. I pity the workers who have to fight it.
We just had a brief rain storm, and hopefully that will clear the air of some of the smoke around here, even if it does cause more humidity.
Right now we are not supposed to spend any meaningful time outside as the air quality is at: Hazardous, due to all the smoke and particulates we are having from the Canadian and some US wildfires. You can see the smog and haze, its awful. I wear an N95 mask when I go outside, even for a short time, I walked to and from my car, on Thursday when I went to my work, and I was wheezing for a good long time when I got into the building. (stupid me didn’t think I needed a mask for that short time…wrong!)
Pretty doe, and those ears. Ages ago when #1 son was about two we saw a doe in the field nearby and I asked him what it was and he didn’t hesitate and called out Kangaroo! LOL!
Have a nice weekend, and stay cool…and wear a mask to go outside if you have one, or at least cover your nose and mouth, it does help.
I loved seeing that doe (and actually capturing a pic) this time. They are really pretty but can mow a flower garden down in no time! Awk.
The fire that has displaced my brother has been unbelievable. His town is very small but everyone has been there for their neighbors. We hope he’ll get to move back in soon. 🤞🏻 Have a good weekend-hope the air quality improves soon. The smoke here has had me totally plugged up. 😵💫
That doe sure does look different than the ones we have around here.
If it feels very hot at all, I check the pavement with my hand and don’t let them walk farther than a quick run to the car. I’ve discovered many stores, even groceries, who welcome dogs and really fuss over Xena riding in the top of the cart.
Mule deer are very common here but boy they can be quite destructive. I just try to remember they are very cool to watch.
I always say if the sidewalk is too hot for me to walk on barefooted, it’s too hot for my dog. It’s maddening to see people walking their pets in the middle of the afternoon on 90+ degree days. What the heck are they thinking? We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
So true. I’ve been trying to walk them early, before work, when it’s not so hot. And I still lay my hand on the road before we go.
Absolutely! We’ve had so many 90+ degree days and I think the heat accumulates and doesn’t dissipate to low enough temps at night. It was still in the 80’s last night at 10 pm so I know black asphalt likely held the heat this morning. Thank heavens for paw boots to keep tender tootsies from blistering. 🥵
Love the ears on that doe- too funny! And the Tartar Maple is gorgeous. We have some smoke here, coming down from Canada, but I’m so sorry for people more in the path, and definitely those in the path of the flames. So sad.
They really are cool to encounter even if they’re incredibly damaging to gardens.
The forecast is calling for cooler temps with some humidity next week and sure hope it allows folks like my brother to return to his home. 🤞🏻 Be safe-those smoke filled skies can really mess up your sinuses and lungs. Have a good weekend.
Love that sign regarding the paws. Always a good reminder for people with short memories. I loved your mule deer shot. Our deer are white tails, and I remember the mule deer from living in Illinois. That tatar maple is gorgeous. Would love to have one here. It is a bad situation with the fires in Colorado. It affects air quality and endangers lives. Wishing all the best for those facing them. Thanks for the enjoyable tour.
Thanks, John. I love it when shops remind people to use caution when out walking around.
Those Tatar maples are one of the prettiest trees around. Love those little ‘helicopters” when they start quivering in a breeze.
I do enjoy seeing mule deer even when they ruin flower gardens. It was so exciting seeing her bounce along to escape our presence. Hope you’ll be staying safe and dry this weekend.
Let’s ask Mr. Webster: Whining and whinging both mean to complain annoyingly, but “whining” implies a high-pitched, childish sound, whereas “whinges” are typically spoken complaints about petty, persistent grievances. I’ll say no more at this point except to point out “feels like 97” is quite comfy. Now, as to those mule deer – way back in my hiking in Colorado days I can’t tell you how many times they scared the bejeezums out of me by appearing unexpectedly when I was in bear territory. Dumber than box of hammers, too. But pretty, I’ll give you that.
Thanks for the entomology primer. I can always count on you to keep us well informed.
I know what you mean about being startled by that doe. It was super quiet and then BAM! she musta jumped 5 feet in the air. Scared the crap out of Wilson, too!
Have a great weekend and enjoy the heat. I’m looking forward to a potential break next week and hope El Niño actually drops by. 🤞🏻
It’s so sad about the fires. We had smoke from the Canadian fires yesterday. Fortunately, they have moved on and someone else is experiencing them. Hot, awful, dark and smelly!
The air quality has been pretty dreadful here but nothing like in my brother’s community. So many people lost everything. It’s hard to fathom starting over from scratch. Here’s hoping it’s a good weekend either way better air quality.
This has been the year of cancellations. So many events have been cancelled because of weather.
It’s not likely to get better either. 🙁
That’s a great reminder to people about hot streets and sidewalks and tender pet toes! Love that Tatar Maple – the beautiful color – amazing……not wanting to be a complete idiot but I seem to remember that same shape on I suppose another maple that we used to call “helicopters” when I was a youngster…..they flew through the breezes quite nicely. Perhaps another plant entirely – just triggered a fun memory! Happy weekend ahead…..let’s all hope for less smoke and less heat and MORE rain….
Hugs, Pam
Yes! We call them helicopters here too! 😊 That Tatar maple is one of the prettiest trees around. Wish there were more of them around. They are just fabulous. Here’s hoping your weekend is filled with decent air quality and moderate temperatures. 🤞🏻
We’re dealing with the smoke, but no significant fires in our tiny little state of CT. Thanks for sharing the deer and other photos. Thanks, too for the public service announcement. I still see people walking dogs on hot pavement and idiots that leave dogs in cars.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Thanks Dan. It astounding that people think it’s appropriate to walk their dogs in the middle of the day when the temps are so high. I can’t imagine how many pups have burned paws. Don’t get me started about people who leave their dogs in a car. I’ve called the police on those cretins. There’s no reason to take your pet ‘shopping’ with you and leave them in the car. It’s at least 20 degrees hotter than the ambient temperature. Leave them at home. Have a good weekend-hopefully with decent air quality. 🤞🏻
Love that Tatar Maple, so pretty. Nice to see the deer too. Mom hates having to take photos with her phone but she too can’t justify carrying a heavy camera around just in case. We have miserable weather here, today we are again close to 100 with almost matching humidity. Sauna lovers could grab a towel and sit outside right now. Yesterday our area had the worst air quality in the world for most of the afternoon. It didn’t look so bad at our house but it was heavy and very smelly smoke. Have a good weekend despite all the fires and heat around.
Cell phone pics are no substitute for a DSLR but schlepping a big camera and lens is a pain. Sometimes you just gotta resort to the convenience.
I am so in love with Tatar maples and wish there were more around. They are so pretty.
Hope the air quality improves soon. I’ve been plugged up forever it seems like. Have a great weekend.
How cool to see that big beautiful deer Wilson! All fires are scary but the wildfires are super scary since they go where they want and where the wind blows. You and Mom and a wonderful weekend!
Many thanks, Terry. We’re hoping the skies will clear up soon so people can breathe easier and folks in the path of wildfires catch a break. Have a great weekend!
The wildfires are our new normal now. Will be interesting to see how the World Cup is affected on the east coast.
You’re so right. I sure hope everyone at the final game stays healthy. Have a terrific weekend.
It’s been quite the summer so far. The wildfires are really troublesome (and more) to so many. The air quality index is kind of scary. Taking a clean breath shouldn’t be taken for granted! Stay safe and cool you two!
Indeed it has been quite the summer. We’ve gotten fairly used to wildfire season but this year with a personal connection, it’s really hit home. Between the hazy skies and disgusting ozone, breathing now needs to be accompanied by a mask most days. Such a shame. We hope you have a safe and healthy weekend.
I love that reminder of hot pavement on paws.
It’s astounding far too many people walk their dogs (and black ones at that) during the middle of the day! 🤦🏼♀️ Stay cool and have a great weekend.