we made this trip up the mainland to mumâs old place in Pasco Co. for a memorial service for our long time friend. we were greeted by an old friend, this sandhill crane and his harem that we used to feed. i like to think he remembered me, he made a low, clicking sound as i approached and let me snap some pictures.
these guys donât migrate and live here year-round. they really DNGAF anout people until they have their hatchlings, then itâs back off!
The cracks are showing⌠Iâm actually really grateful Fuzz-bot cleaned that stinky bottom. Way to take one for the team, grandpa kitty
Very different than ours up in Indiana, who very much DO migrate!
My favorite bird, I think.
they are spectacular birds, to be sure! i have some fantastic videos of two males, dancing - hopping, flapping their wings and honk-trumpeting that incredible song they make. they are truly the coolest when they dance!
the pod(?) brood(?), family of cranes have lived here for a long, long time. mum lived here 30 years. her first encounter with this family was when one particular bird approached the house with his mate and two litte long-legged puff balls of chicks. the male had only two toes on one foot, and was known throughout the neighborhood as âTwo Toesâ (original, i know).i want to believe that, on this wake for mumâs very bestest of besties, as we gather at the house across from where mum lived all those years, the descendants of Two Toes also have come to pay their respects to one of the very finest women i have ever known, Mary Wilson. may the road rise to meet her. always.
and to the sandhill cranes of Pasco County⌠squawk on, you magnificent beauties, you!
A n update about Kikiâs broken legs:
-
Ten days ago, the cast on the hind leg was removed; that gave her much more freedom of movement and in a few days she was again roaming the house, climbing on lower furniture (chairs, sofas, beds) and generally more active and visibly much happier and playful. The leg out of the cast looks in good shape, and she uses it almost naturally.
(in the background, some of my daughterâs paintings, on the floor the rocking tablet I use to exercise my recently broken ankle) -
Two days ago, she had a small surgery to remove the plate in her front leg. Everything looks OK with good sign of the bone healing. She is now a bit unhappy (the cone again, stitches etc.: every week she had had some medical procedure, I think sheâs quite stressed by now - stitches removal in a couple week, should be the last of it).
Bonus picture, a beaver I encountered yesterday evening on my way to friends (cats are in Italy, Iâm just back in Sweden):
And @FloridaManJefe
Weâve been seeing a lot more of those in Michigan.
One has been hanging out in the same place in the marsh near the edge of the highway for several days.
We just realized there was a baby. Never seen a mini crane.
If the weather clears up weâre gonna go for a long walk and try to get a picture of the baby.
So glad Kiki is doing well. Lovely name too
If anyone is interested the dog agility competition is on Fox Sports.
Itâs kind of fun to watch.
One of the dogs got a little lost and I couldnât help thinking thank god itâs not Noemâs dog.
Sounds lovely!
These dogs are amazing, if I were a handler Iâd get lost on the course.
Iâve never seen so many happy dogs.
Here are some highlights from this year. At 5:41 donât blink or youâll miss, the dog is on fire.
The really short dogs are running now, the jumps were lowered, itâs cute but still very impressive.
Iâm not surprised the very first pupper is a border collie! 
But yeah, the dog at 5:41!!!
I had an Aussie. What they and border collies do best is curves. A course like that is made for that kind of dog.
My auntâs border Collie rescues really like watching these competitions
