Saturday, May 3, 2008

Animal Stories

Misty Dawn is doing a Sunday Camera Critters where you post photos of animals. Check it out.

I would like to share two stories and some pictures today. I often see rabbits and groundhog in my back yard. There are always signs of opossum and the smell of skunk in the area.

First most of you realize that I live in a small city in Ohio. Our property abuts a field that has become fairly wild with trees and underbrush. The other day I was taking Jake our Pomeranian out to the back yard to do what dogs have a need to do. It was about 8 PM and when we came around the back of the vegetable garden to find a pair of does that were behind my neighbors fence. I saw them salute me with their white flag as they left (the underside of their tail is white and it can be seen as they raise the tail and run away). I was without a camera so I will have to tell the story. They ran a short way into the thicket and I could hear them not far away. Jake was at full attention and I could tell he knew they were near. I was staring into the underbrush when a tail flickered and as if through magic I could plainly see the two doe about 25 feet away. I think they felt me starring at them and eventually they moved deeper in the field and disappeared.


Second I had driven into PA and the plant at which I work is on the outskirts of a town. I have seen Deer, Turkey, Goose and numerous small animals in the area. As I drove down the hill to the plant a Red Fox ran across the road. It is not common to see fox and it was a joy to see this large species running free.

I was out golfing the other day and when I was teeing off I spotted this little guy on a rock. After I got done teeing off I went and got my camera. I was able to get a picture of the chipmunk on the rock and the zoom in to see he was working an a black walnut. The black walnut trees grow wild along this fairway.
We were up my sons and I was able to take a picture of his Chocolate Lab. His name is Fudge.
As I drove across near the horse farm a small pony was feeding in the field. He was such a cute little bugger I couldn't help but capture him.
He even put on a little show for me.
What's with the 'W' on his back quarter? Does any one know. Do they mark them that way before they brand them?



37 comments:

Anna said...

I love these images! Animals are such great subjects aren't they? I am glad you liked my motorcycle image...feel free to show those friends! Maybe I should do Bike Photo Sessions for all those bike lovers! Hhhhhmmmm....I may be on to something! :)

Take care!

Anonymous said...

wonderful shots!
so lucky of you to be seeing those does! here we need to go to the zoo just to have a glimpse of those wonderful creatures! :)

ratmammy said...

you must live in a very rural area. Loved the photos of the horses!

Misty DawnS said...

What a fantastic post! I love ALL the pics. Love the chippy, and Fudge, and the pony....... OH OK - I love them ALL! :-)

By the way, if you ever go walking through the woods around Mogadore Reservoir, you're liable to see that wolf-dog in my post. My dad walks him there every day (except for now - he needs to recoup for a few days).

Teena in Toronto said...

Nice array of pix!

Mine's up too :)

Jo Castillo said...

Great photos! The pony is so interesting. I never heard of a pre-brand. Looks like a hair do to me. Ha.

Juliana RW said...

ah...like the chipmunk photo :D

Will you visit mine Thanks

Anonymous said...

wonderful shot

Visit mine also Thanks

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your stories and your photos. I enjoyed them all. That little pony is darling!

Indrani said...

Great subject for critters this time :) Mine is a butterfly at i Share.

Mom Knows Everything said...

I want the pony!!! Hey fishing guy, I wanna see some fish pictures.

ShannonW said...

Awesome photos!!!! Thank you for sharing.

Lilli & Nevada said...

How cute, i love the chipmunk he so patiently waited for you to finish teeing off to take his photo.
The lab is beautiful,
and the horses well i have no clue as to why he has that W on his rump. Looks like he has some long hair

Jack and Joann said...

The Wizards lost. The Cavs beat us. Congrats to the Cavs. Now carry on.

I've seen all the animals you have mentioned in your post here in VA at either are current or former home.

When we lived in Fairfax Station we had a deep lawn that dipped down to a creek and then to a quarter acre of woods. (Open Space of community)
Anyway one fall five bucks with antlers were standing on the hillside competing for the title of "top gun buck". Three of them were young and strong, one was old and weak and the last was a mere young one. So this is what I remember seeing from my house deck. The three strong contenders would but each others heads and antlers. Well, everytime that happened the sound they made was astounding. It sounded like cymbals hitting each other or someone hitting two bone china plates together. Meanwhile, the old buck would come up to one of the contenders and goose him in the rearend with his antlers. And the last buck, the young one just stood and watched. This went on for a good twenty minutes. I'll never forget the sight or the sound of the antlers striking each other.

imac said...

Beautiful stories and great photos, such a great post.


Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comments.

Anonymous said...

I like your post and photos but am especially drawn to fudge.

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

Great pictures and the song "home" is wonderful! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Jane Hards Photography said...

What a fabulous collection. All such beautiful shots.

Stacey Olson said...

Morning Fishing guy, Great photos as usual. My guess would be that they W on the horse is some type of bandage. They don't do a "pre-brand" that I am aware of. Have a wonderful day, and thanks for sharing.

Sharon said...

That chipmunk is so cute and posed so nicely for you. Fudge is such a pretty dog! I bet he is a wonderful companion, labs are so great. That pony is a cute little feller, don't know anything about the shaved spot.

Thanks for the stories. It is wonderful to be able to see things like that!

i beati said...

Splendid what a nice post !!

Michele said...

You have some awesome shots of critters today... I especially love the little chippy on the rock... simply adorable!
Fun fun post!

Katney said...

That is a wonderful collectin of critters. Will you have any left for next week? What a silly question to ask someone with a camera handy.

Janet said...

You got a lot of critters this week! Love the little chipmunk especially.

***Fotografia e Luz*** said...

beautiful sequence of images

Unknown said...

Wonderful animal photos! I never seen a mark like on a pony before, maybe branding seems too cruel and reason why for this fancy hair cut?

That is a good name for the chocolate retriver "Fudge"

The Chipmunk is cute.

Sandy said...

Loved the story and loved the pictures!

Anonymous said...

that chipmunk photo is great!! Love the horses, all the photos.

Jack and Joann said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. The roses were taken at a VA winery in June of 2006. My roses should be in full bloom soon with the sunshine and heat we are getting. I have a few in bloom now. I hope to post rose pics before this week is out.
P.S. I'm rooting for the Cav now.

Coy Hill said...

Nice stories and photos you posted here. Living in rural Pa many folks seem to take our local wildlife for granted, not realizing what a treasure we have here. I hope you have been getting some time to wet your line.

DeeMom said...

Super photos...that LAB is wonderful...

Just Mhe said...

WOW, wonderful shots of animals.

Love it all!

Mine is up too!

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

A fantastic post! I love all the pictures!

dot said...

What great animal shots! I'm really curious about the W so if you find out let us know.

Teena in Toronto said...

What fun collection of critter pix!

Thanks for stopping by mine :)

Pappy said...

We've got some real short cowboys down here who might like to make an offer on that pony. :o)

jedijawa said...

Wow, 36 comments! Well, I loved the picture of Fudge and you also have an excellent zoom on your camera for t he chipmunk.