Abstract, More or Less

Sometimes it’s interesting to just isolate details to make pictures.

Mosaic Linkup

Today’s final two pictures are not what I call abstract, but they are not quite realistic either. I  added  effects using the BeCasso app. 

Charlie’s Friend, Tripod

Two Birds and a Walk in the Park

The black-capped chickadee was sharing a feeder with a house finch. At least, I think she's a house finch. The female finches are not very showy and have not made a big impression on me. She looks sweet though. 

Somehow it is the middle of the month already, and I was reminded that the 15th is Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. I saw pansies blooming in a park in town so I’ll show a few pictures from a short walk I took there. Pansies tolerate cold weather better than most of our flowers here.

Charlie was with me and he was interested in sniffing everything. He is now two years old and is doing well in many ways, but still has a way to go on some things that I thought were basic. Apparently his stint in the Envigo breeding factory left him with some deep fears. Many dogs from the same place have similar issues. They were bred to be lab animals, not house pets, and they were treated so poorly that the place got closed down. Add to that the beagles’ inherited tendency to run and hunt, and no wonder he struggles. 

Lately, we have been trying to adjust to the time change and shorter daylight hours. Charlie has started getting up well before dawn, and I really don’t want to go outside when it’s dark and cold. I’d rather sleep until dawn, so I hope we can work this out quickly

Did You Ever Want to Be a Cat?

Hi, it's me, Charlie. But the first picture I'm going to show you is my friend Tripod. He is a cat and he comes to see me, but he won't play with me. So I wanted to become a cat so we could play.

Mom said, “Charlie, you can’t be a cat.” So maybe I’ll be a tiger. This is what I might look like with tiger stripes.

By Picsart for Caturday / Critters

Well, I’ve been busy. I went to daycare twice this week, and I went to the dog park on other days. Yesterday started out really slow because it rained. I don’t like water coming down on me, especially when it’s cold. I got really bored because Mom was busy doing something to the bookshelf. I had to pace around in circles just to get exercise. 

Finally, the rain stopped. Mom put a new harness on me which is supposed to be escape proof. I had it off before we even got out of the driveway. She was not happy about that. I had fun at the park, exploring and playing ball

When we got back in the car, I made black paw prints, so mom wiped my feet. 

Here’s a guy that was on our front porch but now he’s gone.

I guess I’d rather be a dog than a pumpkin.

Autumn Day in the Valley

Although I am not an early bird, my dog likes to get up at dawn, and sometimes before. He does not understand that daylight savings time ended and most folks are sleeping a little later.

After we take a walk first thing in the morning, I like to spend some time at home, checking messages, catching up on tasks, and so on. I like to get out in the afternoon, even if it’s just to ride out to the dog park. Sometimes I vary the route to to look at the scenery.

Water Thursday / Skywatch / All Seasons

The fall colors are bright, even though we are still in a drought. There’s been just enough rain to keep the grass green.

 

Favorite Part of Town

Theme Day: City Daily Photo

When I first considered this months theme, “My favorite part of town,” I felt puzzled. Most of my favorite places are not in my town. But then I remembered that the Shenandoah River is on the edge of town, and we even have a state park there! Of course, that’s it!

I go to Seven Bends State Park at least once a week, often more. Today I took Charlie for a walk near the Lupton Road entrance. I bundled up because the weather has just turned cold. Many of the leaves have fallen, but there’s still some bright yellow ones and the grass is still green.

Charlie likes all the smells of the park. Is it his favorite place? Let’s ask him.

Charlie: “No. It’s interesting, but my favorite place is the dog park. It’s the most fun. I get to run really fast.

Yesterday, Sadie went there with us. I wasn’t too sure that was a good idea, but we had a good time. Some of my friends were there. It’s the best place ever when your friends are there!”

The Circus is in Town

Shenandoah County Courthouse

The pumpkin people have invaded Woodstock again. They even have a circus. Let’s take a closer look.

Since Charlie was already tired from going to the park, he observed the circus from the car. 

Prospect Peak and Cacapon

Near Berkeley Springs, WV

When we went to Berkeley Springs on Sunday and visited Frog Valley Artisans, we were very close to the spectacular viewpoint at Prospect Peak, so of course I drove up there. I've shared pictures of it before, but it's worth revisiting.

We made a couple stops in the town of Berkeley Springs, and then headed in the direction of home, stopping briefly at Cacapon State Park, where I walked Charlie in a pretty setting next to the lake.

East Side Critters

East of Downtown Woodstock

I read that Shenandoah County has approximately 33,000 cattle.

I have no idea how many dogs there are.

West of Woodstock Yesterday

After I took Charlie to the Fairview Dog Park, I drove west to contribute a few items to a blessing box outside a church. Their  parking lot has nice views.

The late afternoon light was looking nice, so I took it a different road home in order to check out some farm views.

This place had horses so I pulled over to take a few pictures with my cell phone. I snapped them quickly because I was blocking someone’s driveway. It wasn’t until later when I enlarged the images on my iPad that I saw I had photographed a hot air balloon in the sky.

I’ll throw in a picture of Charlie running at the park and a couple more scenes from the drive home.