Author: keres

Actually, it’s Duck Blogging today.

Since one of my mangy Muscovies donated the “feather heard ’round the Capital,” I decided to feature them in this edition.

I’ll start with Cristabell, who is hoping to make 10 more little Muscovies.

In France Pyrenean Mountain Dogs (aka Great Pyrenees) are called “mat dogs,” because of their tendancy to lie in front of doors.

That way they can keep track of who is coming or going, while otherwise napping.

Dogs, the ultimate time management experts.

Here she is “guarding” the pantry and the cupboard.

Today is my birthday!

This was my present, one year ago today.

They grow up so fast.

Here’s what Luna “gave” me for today’s birthday.  Possum poo on her coat – acquired during our morning walk, when she stopped for a roll.

Dog Blogging has be light of late.  Here’s why.

No, not the dog, although she’s been a right royal pest this morning – getting me up at 5:30am, stealing seedlings, digging holes (and it’s only 7:30am).  

Remember the dingy light blue carpet that’s usually under the dog?  It’s gone.  Or more accurately, it, along with all the crappy lino, has been torn-up, scrapped-off, and sanded away.  
Since I’m now on the hand-sanding and sealing phase, Luna has had to stay outside more than usual.  Hence the greater than usual distruct-o-puppy behavior.

Please note, I’ve changed the heading to be inclusive of all animals, after some of the cats’ staff complained about the exclusion of their masters.

I thought this image was timely.  Our Pale Sundews ( carnivorous plants) are blossoming, and somehow, this closeup of a fly being eaten by a sundew made me think of  some Whitehouse staffers.  

(… more after the break …)

Here’s the whole plant (it’s about twice as large on your screen as it is in real life).

I’m on my way out the door, but I’ll get up more images when I get back.

Today’s topics:

Animal agility (since Luna and I are taking classes in Dog Agility – which is some trick as she is larger than the tunnel she has to go through).

And political animals (defined however you see fit).

Once again, for your amusement, it’s “Luna-the-Downunder-dog.”  Doing her hilarious best to manage living “upside-down” in the land-downunder.  

More photos (as promised), featuring some of the wonderous (and really weird) critters of West Australia, just past the fold.
Meet the fierce looking, but in reality very laid back, Spiny Devil.

The dog blog and I have both been on vacation, along with my girlfriend, to West Australia.  We spent part of our time touring Ningaloo Reef, the largest fringing coral reef in Australia.
While we were away, the dog, Luna, got to go to puppy vacation camp, aka a very nice kennel that lets the dogs play outside all day long – and then washes them just before you pick them up to take them home.

I’m still getting back into the-swing-of-things at home, hindered by a head cold I contracted the last day of the trip, and a job application due tomorrow. But, I should have lots of critter pictures to share by next week’s edition, including such photogenic exotics as Thorny Mountain Devils, Stumpy Tailed Lizards and “28” Parrots.

I once had a cat, Brian by name, that always had to sit on something, no matter how thin (like a piece of paper), in a seeming effort to make himself just that much taller.

Albert, the mini-lop likes to get off the floor as well – maybe he’s hoping for a view.

Yellowtailed Black Cockatoos are impressively sized birds, nearly two feet from top to tail, and very noisy.    They are a bit clownish as well, often hanging upside down from one foot while eating something gripped in the other foot’s claws.  

Also of note, they are not kept as pets (unlike the more familar Sulfer-Crested Cockatoos)- as they have reputation for being cranky and destructive.  Still, they are a joy to hear and see when they stop by our place every month or so.  As a half-dozen did yesterday and today.

Sorry to be a so late posting this.  I’ve been busy with the bathroom rebuild, a bit out of sorts physically, and sick-at-heart over the colossal fuck-up that is the Bush adminstrations response to Hurricane Katrina.

If I still lived in the States, I’d be down there now with the truck and the horse-trailer getting supplies to whoever I could.

On the home front, the fry (baby fish) all died, but that’s hardly tragic, as I only expected a few to make at best.  The mother was a young and small, and I’m thinking the eggs were small, as they all seemed to have trouble eating, no matter how fine the food. Anyway, they were fun while they lasted, and there is always next time.

This joke has been around for awhile, but I thought it needed updating.

How moral are You?

Here’s a dilemma question for you….

Be honest, what would you do? This test only has one question, but it’s a very important one. Please don’t answer it without giving it some serious thought. By giving an honest answer you will be able to test where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation, where you will have to make a decision one way or the other. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous.

more after the fold . . .

You’re in Mississippi…In New Orleans, to be exact. There’s great chaos going on around you caused by hurricane Katrina and its aftermath of severe floods. There’s turbulent water all around you. You are a AP photographer and you are right in the middle of this great disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You’re trying to shoot very impressive photos. There  are people and debris floating around you, disappearing into the water. Nature is showing all its destructive power and is ripping everything away with it.

Suddenly you see a man in the water, he is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken away by the raw forces of nature. You move closer. Somehow the man looks familiar.

Suddenly you know who it is – it’s George W. Bush!

Your realize, without help, that the raging waters are about to take him away, forever. You have two options. You can save him or you can take the best photo of your life. So, you can save the life of George W. Bush, or you can shoot a Pulitzer prize winning photo, a unique photo displaying the death of one of the world’s most powerful men.

And here’s the question (please give an honest answer):

Would you select the realism and dynamism of color film, or would you rather go with the dramatic simplicity of classic black and white?