Whoa - how'd it get to be Friday already??

Crofton in the early morning

I can't believe another week has flown by! Spring is definitely here, with the mornings light much earlier and the afternoon longer; trees and flowers are in bloom and birds are nesting in the box in the backyard; the grass is growing so fast I need to get out and mow it; and the winter jacket has been stashed away in favour of my lighter spring one.

The Wednesday Walkers headed back to Swallowfield this week. The stench of dead fish has disappeared though the slippery silt of flooding remains. We didn't make it as far as the river, let alone the estuary, as we heard gunshots and came across vehicles belonging to Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited recently bought the property and while they generously allow us to use it still, their primary focus is providing environments to attract ducks so they can train their hunting dogs there. I won't get into a rant about organizations that protect the environment only so they can slaughter animals for pleasure.... (okay, I did get into it, but that's all I'll say).

Anyway, we did suggest to one member that it would be useful if they hung a little sign on the gate to let unsuspecting dog people know when they are shooting on the marsh. We gathered our dogs and quickly changed direction, heading to the other end of the area. The dogs still got a good run and no harm was done (except, perhaps, to some poor unsuspecting ducks).

I was surprised to see few signs of spring at Swallowfield, though it is only ten minutes down the road from Crofton - the shrubs had not come into leaf, no spring flowers were blooming. But the dogs didn't care about that - they had fun in the fields and muck.

Tarben

Hugo

Dolly havin' fun!

Charley

Dogs and their peeps in the field

Looking over the swamps

Playtime! (Photo courtesy of Mary)

I didn't take many photos on this week's walk. Mary, however, captured this series of her dog Tarben (Photos by Mary, used with permission):

Oops, I misjudged...

Misjudged again!

I canna stop sliding!


Okay, I....

....meant to do that!

And now Master Oliver says it is time for his morning walk and polar bear swim, so I better push myself away from the computer and do as he bids.