Saturday Ramblings

Well, well, well....   It's a deep subject; except in Colorado.  I was able to get Lola and Cooper walked without rain pouring on us, between 5 and 6 this morning.  Started to rain again at 6:30; but I had taken care of the ABCs, had fed and loved Seek, had fed and medicated Tugger, and arrived at my place to let my kits outside before it started falling again.  I know that we need the rain - I just loathe grey days without any sunshine.  The following photo is of Boulder Creek at the Broadway underpass yesterday afternoon (the shadow is Broadway); the Boulder Public Library is to the upper left of the picture, behind bushes and cars in a parking lot.

I think you can safely say that we have standing water on the roads - this is a car driving straight down a street in the appropriate lane:

This photo is of Confluence Park in Denver and shows a man in a kayak passing a four-foot tall trash can and five-foot tall sign.  The Platte River is high....

In case you haven't seen a nightjar, the type of bird I rescued earlier this week, here's a photo of one:

And yesterday, Tipsi came into the house with a mouthful of prey - a 20-inch long Plains Garter snake that kept twisting and turning upon itself.  It played dead when she dropped it on the floor at my feet, but I could see the tail was twitching a bit.  Once I had Tipsi distracted, I picked up the snake and carried it out into the garden, where I released it.  Five minutes later, it was no where to be seen, so I'm pretty sure that Tipsi did't cause any lasting damage....

I need to bundle up and go outside to cover the raised gardens  - there are sprouts up in each and every bed, but they don't need  to have 2 to 5 inches of heavy wet snow fall on them tonight, or early tomorrow morning.  Then I need to water the indoor plants - and check to be certain that Lola hasn't left me any "presents" in the house....

   Here's hoping your weekend is drier than mine!

Nightjar Rescue

It was dry when I arose at 5 this morning; but it began misting and drizzling at 5:20.  Our weather folks say that we may see snow on Sunday and Monday mornings.  The last couple of years snow has fallen on Mother's Day, like this Sunday.  We'll have to see.  I took the dogs out at 8 and 10 last night, then again, as soon as I go up this morning.  Pounce slept on top of me all night long - he'd been in my lap most of the afternoon, and then Tipsi moved in after Jeopardy! was over.  Tipsi slept on my clothes last night, and didn't bug Pounce.
   It's rather unnerving to be standing upright, scooping dry kibble out of a triple-layered bin, and having a dog leap up above your head while he's waiting for his food bowl.  Cooper does this every time he's fed, and also does the same at the door to go in and out - guess that's why his breed is named "Springer Spaniel"....  Lola just sits quietly, like a dark shadow, until your attention wanders to her.  At least Pounce and Tipsi meow to let me know about going out and wanting back in.  I'm the doorman for the four-legged furred ones in this home.
  I held a nightjar in my hands yesterday; the first time that I remember doing so.  It was just past dawn, the sun was rising, and the poor bird was under a plexi-glass arched walkway that was surrounded by windows.  It kept flying into the ceiling and windows, and I was afraid it would break its own neck.  It finally fell at my feet, and I quickly scooped it up with both hands.  I examined it's wings, and it's eyes looked bright, even though the constant smacking against the glass had caused it to lose a lot of smaller feathers.  I took it out into the open and released it.  It was amazing how good I felt as I watched that tiny body fly away.