Unexpectedly Skunked -Guest Heart Thursday

So over the past few days we've have had this awful aroma coming from under the north end of the house.  My husband thought it was likely a possum which had taken up residence--and we did find a place where an animal had been coming and going.

So, Monday night, my darling put out a live trap.

I was enjoying tea and fabulous treats with my friend TJ, when I received a phone call from my husband.

Says he, "What the aych, eey, double toothpick am I gonna do?!"

Shocked I replied, "WHAT?!"

Said he a bit sheepishly, "Honey, I've done caught a skunk."

I laughed and laughed...then I wondered what we were going to do.  Even with suggested remedies, skunk aroma does NOT wear off for quite some time. 

A sweet little fellow he was--with an uncommonly good taste in music.  Since he was out there--looking so very lonely and miserable, I decided to make friends. He let me come within three feet or so--I was singing and talking to him when I took this picture.  He seemed quite charmed by my voice.

Eventually we had to hire someone to come and take him away. My goodness--the aroma is STILL clinging to the vegetation outside.  The pest control folks took a video of him running happily into skunk paradise in the nearby Baskett Slough wildlife reserve.  When they send it to us via email, I'll be sure to post it here.

I don't know if you can make it out--but his nose is shaped like a little heart.  (grin)

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Heart in Cloud - Guest Heart Thursday

This lovely heart snuggled in the clouds seems like it is smiling -- and about to take a leisurely nap against that fluffy cloud pillow.  I caught this fragile heart over the coastal foothills near the Baskett Slough Wildlife Refuge last summer.   What a beautiful moment -- I'm so grateful for digital cameras!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Suspended - Weekend Reflections

Monday afternoon my husband and I stopped at the Baskett Slough Bird Sanctuary. We drove down the gravel road extending through the waters to the middle, where there is a viewpoint.  It was a perfect day, warm with a slight breeze whiffling the waters.

There are few moments one can capture exactly -- this is one of them.  The clouds, reflecting in the waters had a sort of magic about them.  Suspended so perfectly there.
 
For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Bare Bones of Winter

Last week we drove through the Baskett Slough Bird Sanctuary near here. There is a little known road which runs down the center of the water in the sanctuary. We stopped to watch the skies. The air was alive with layers of birds lying upon the air, landing, taking off, shifting and swooping. I did not catch any photos which did justice to the majesty of that sight.

I enjoyed the Red Wing Black Birds, who's call I've learned to imitate. They seemed fascinated when I would answer them--they couldn't figure out what kind of bird I might be. Though they flitted near, I could not get close enough to take pictures of their lovely flash of red feather.

And then there were the Three Stooges you see above. These geese were hilarious to watch. I laughed and laughed at their antics.

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It was hard to leave, as the sun set behind the soft rolling hills clad with ancient oak trees.

Ribbons of Birds

At the Baskett Slough Bird Sanctuary things get busy as the sun sets. It is spectacular to watch millions birds of flocking layer upon layer, all looking for places to settle for the night. I was stunned by the sheer number and variety of them.
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One could wax poetical over the incredible beauty of ribbons of birds pressed against those vivid pink and purple skies. They massed overhead like a living archway. I was filled with awe. What I've captured here is only a tiny savor of what that real moment was like.

Pink Elegance

My husband and I drove from the coast home today. On our way home we stopped at the Baskett Slough. The clouds were just extraordinary. This is only one sample of the wonderful glories of tonight's skies.

Flirty Hawk

I was taking some pictures over at the Baskett Slough Wildlife Refuge near where I live. I noticed a little hawk sitting on the wire above. When I stopped my car and hopped out for a better view, he looked suspicious and chirruped down at me. I'm pretty good at imitating bird calls, so I whistled back.
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At first he seemed terribly confused--I think it might have been because, though I sounded like a bird, I sported no discernable feathers.
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But thinking it over, he began to preen... .

...Then to my great delight, he coyly turned to smile around his beak,

...and flipped his feathers into a gorgeous fan, which he then commenced to wave.

What a darling little hawk! I quite fell in love with him.