Thursday, December 31, 2009





Yesterday a very young mule deer was in the yard across from our place. Today an older, antlered mule deer was there.
Very snowy morning.
I am heading out to Fenland Loop for a walk with Santiago.







Sunday, December 27, 2009

The ice and snow formations we saw yesterday at Cascade Ponds were so beautiful that I took a great many photographs. Now I need to learn about ice and the names for the different formations. The second photo is of empty seed pods filled with ice crystal flowers. Many of the grasses, branches and stalks were covered with rime and crystals.
The third & fifth photos show the surface of the pond and the way the ice formed like feathers and snowflakes. The snow formed miniature mountains at the base of the stalks of grasses.
The cirrus clouds looked like a paintbrush had been swept across the sky.















Saturday, December 26, 2009

A Boy on his Birthday and a devoted dog

Today, December 26th, Charley and Santi went to Cascade Ponds and had a great romp in the snow.
The "chuck-it" is best wielded by "Chuck" himself as he can throw the ball very far and Santi is in raptures as she runs, fetches, and then refuses to give up the ball - Usually we use two balls and Santi drops the retrieved one to go get the next one thrown....but today the snow was so deep that one ball disappeared - never to be found until the spring thaw.
The photos show Santi in various stages of delight, focus, and adoration for Charley - one even looks like she is laughing - and finally she is so pooped she sits in the snow to cool off.
It was a glorious day, bright blue sky, sunshine.
Tomorrow, I will post a whole series of photos - a study of ice and snow - the texture of the snow was amazing - very granular - I think that is why they call it "powder".


















Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas



Christmas Morning Walk through Banff with Santiago - the dog misses her mom.
But it is a beautiful day.
We are blessed.
All the best of the season to you
love
Mojo






Sunday, December 20, 2009

There are many advantages to babysitting Santiago dog over the Christmas holidays.
She is a lovely, well-behaved dog who brings that missing animal spirit back into our house now that we are not pet-owners.
And it also means I get up early in the morning and Santi and I walk around town - hoping we don't bump into any wildlife prowling the dark, deserted streets. (Charley - the night owl does the night shifts)
This morning we were out for such a long walk that the sky lightened and I was able to take some photographs.
The first if Mount Rundle wrapped in a cloud.
The second is the sun rising.
The 3rd and 4th show Santi playing her new game. Our dog friend Docker, in Halifax, used to snatch my glove off my hand and race around while I tried to get it back. I taught Santi the same game and she loves my big leather mitten.
The 5th shows the skating rink and the big skating oval on the Bow River - no one out this morning but it is often full of families having a great skate.
The 6th is pine cones in the snow. The 7th the Bow River again.
The 8th & 9th Magpies in the trees.
The last two photos are Mount Rundle again but on a different day - sunny with blue skies.

Now I am home having a hot coffee and Santi is having a nap....maybe I need a nap too.

Tt