Climate Change?

I was so happy when "global warming" became passe and "climate change" became the cause du jour.  We can relate to climate change.

First two pics from a year ago taken on March 25, 2012.



March 25, 2012



In 2012 the lake was ice free on March 22

Here's some shots taken yesterday, March 28, 2013

Out on the lake headed to check out the eagle nest

Getting bigger, we frequently see eagles fly right over the house with limbs from the woods.



Trust me, Spring has not sprung






Baily loves to climb the piles.  I think he hopes to surprise some critters on the other side.  He for one will be diasppointed when (?) they disappear.

 

Clearly not a good trend.  Given our property was once covered with over a thousand feet of ice are we headed in that direction again?

P.S. Last year was the earliest the lakes had ever opened up.  Since that fact diminishes the impact of my argument I left it as a footnote.  Al Gore said it was ok.

Baily Shots

Just some random Baily shots...



His normal napping position




Guarding the quilts




Yes, Baily is a growing boy





Both Baily and I are on the same page here...What the ????




Out on the lake



Snow Fun

Got to enjoy the snow in Beckett's back yard.  They'd gotten 6" of wet, heavy snow that was disappearing fast over the warmer weekend.



Beckett just got a new tube.





The snow pile from clearing the patio make a greater safety bumper.  Saved Grandpa from flying through the sliding glass door.





It was perfect Frosty building conditions, although Frosty bit the dust Sunday morning, the rain did him in.



Delaney

Spent the weekend at Delaney and Beckett's house.  Here's a few shots of Delaney,  just a little over 6 months old.

Best in Class!

Last night was the last session of the obediance training class that Baily and Macy have been participating in the last seven weeks.  In the final session the dogs are judged on four tests, their efforts scored, and awards are presented at the end of the class.  Of the 20 dogs in the class, 10 went through the judging, the rest decided they weren't ready. 

You needed to get 100 points to "pass" the class, 150 points was a perfect score, plus you could earn 10 bonus points for various extra efforts.  Baily scored 155 and smoked the rest of the class, finishing first!  Whoda thunk it...we were very proud.

The class was great, watching 20 dogs interact each week was very entertaining, and the instructor tried to keep things fun.

Here's some pics.




Baily and Macy size up the competition.




Always a fan favorite here he's working the crowd in the bleachers.




About to begin the competition Macy gives Baily a pep talk (it involved meat)




First up was "healing", the judge would give commands as they walked that they needed to respond to.




Next was "sitting" while the judge tried to distract him.



Baily's best event..."staying" until called.



Bonus points for ending in a sitting position




Final event was "staying" down for a minute without getting up, actually a tough event for Baily.




Here's the competitors waiting for the awards to be announced.  Any doubt who the stud of the class was?




The winner is announced and the fans in the bleachers go crazy




Baily was humble in his acceptance




Best in Class



Suet Feeders



Hairy Woodpecker




Downy Woodpecker and Black-capped Chickadee




A pair of Downy Woodpeckers.



A Red-bellied Woodpecker



Pileated Woodpecker




Common Redpoles




Blue Jay




White-breasted Nuthatch



Baily

A few Baily shots...



When outside Baily always has his head in the snow looking for good sniffs.  Here he just came inside.




De-iced




This is not Macy's old sheepskin rug.