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Behind our house is a path which leads to a 600 acre wood. Walking along this path we travel down to the bay, far away from the noise, commotion and general craziness of the world; there is peace, quiet and solitude. As we watch the dogs running and jumping among the field of reeds, muzzles to the ground searching for scents of wildlife and other treasures; those of which humans have no understanding, we find our spirits are renewed.

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new spring growth

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One day she will be big enough to jump over, but until then we will be happy to help her over.

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For as long as I can remember, I have liked bare trees. I have always felt that they have many stories to tell. They can feel the earth between their roots, their branches reach high up in the sky, they have been the home to many wildlife critters. Yes, I am certain they all have their own story. All we need to do is look and listen.

Each day on my walk in the old farm, I pass this tree. It is one of my favorites. The old village in which it lived is abandoned and the residents long gone. But I can see and read it's tales.

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This afternoon I had the opportunity to take "Yellow Girl" out on a solo exploration. Meaning no "Black Dog" was there to interfere with her every move. It gave me the chance to see her little personality bloom. She is just too darn cute.

see other really cute critters over @ Camera Critters

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this evening's find ~

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a Spring morning walk in the game farm ~

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a dried winter spikey thingy ~

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Hey do I see Spring over there in the corner??

Honest, I hadn't planned on posting so many photos of "Yellow Girl", but she is just to darn cute.

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I am not exactly certain as to what this is.

I would surmise some sort of insect has burrowed into the branch and is now calling it home.
*A huge thanks to Sharon @ sprouts and wildlings for ID; it is a praying mantis egg case, or ootheca.

hop on over to @ Lisa's Chaos from some more amazing marcos

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Willow has been accompanying us on our daily excursions out into the fields. Each day begins new discoveries; the scent of deer is in the air, the remains of a hawk’s rabbit dinner are scattered about and fox has left an evening deposit of scat.

And while I do take photos of Willy, I think she is feeling a bit slighted as I have been posting daily “Yellow Girl” updates. So today, in the interested of appeasing “Black Dog”, I share a shot of her getting a good view of the game farm.

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True to his word, Papa took "Yellow Girl" out to the 600 acre woods,

lots of running, lots of sniffing, lots of fun (for both man and beast)!

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although I miss the bright color of summer, there is much beauty to be found in the cold of winter ~

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basking in the midday sun ~

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Murf looking out across the fields as Willy runs and jumps through the tall grasses. He seems to wonder why he can no longer be off leash, getting a good run and sniff. Sorry Murf, the day you injuried your leg last year was your last day to enjoy such freedom.

hey there more cute photos over @ Camera Critters

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Since Murf’s accident last year, I hesitate to take him for walks. At his 12 years of age I can’t risk him re-injuring his badly damaged knee. I fear it would not heal leaving him incapacitated. But with inactivity, signs of boredom and depression are setting in.

This winter has been unusually warm, with the exception of a few frigid days this past week. The cold days left us wanting to stay in by the fire and resulted in Murphy and I are both suffering from cabin fever. Today I decided we needed a walk in the fields. He is unaccustomed to the restraints of a leash, while being in the 600 acre woods, and begged to run, gallop and jump. His requests went unanswered.

Knowing his days are fewer with each passing day, I brought my camera along to capture the delight the open air bring to his face.

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~ Merry Christmas ~

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Since I don't get to see them very often and I was happy with the way the mini photo shoot turned out, you get to see them one more time. :)

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My son and his girlfriend came to visit and what could be better than an impromptu mini photo shoot. I have really been wanting to practice portrait photography, only problem is I need a model or two. Perfect! Michael and Amanda were more than happy to play along, they were patience and listened well to all my instructions; now look back, lean this way, no that way, ok a little more, sit up straight, lean in . . . They were thrilled with the results and I didn’t think the photos came out half bad.

 I just love the way they look at each other.

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~ the joy of a mud puddle ~

hop on over to camera critters to see other great critters!