This week’s Sunday Stills challenge is all about fur and feathers. Or how about plumage and paws?

Although I draw inspiration from a variety of sources, this week, I’m extra-inspired by Cee’s Black and White Challenge: Feet or Paws and Marsha’s WQWWC: Cold. Images of my fur-babies will demonstrate this week’s theme, while my feathered friends will tell the rest of the story.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

November 7 marks the end of daylight savings time in the US (not that we were saving much this time of year in the cold north). At least it will be lighter in the morning instead of being dark until 7:30am here in Northeastern Washington. Less daylight means the feeling of cold is much more acute. Most of the fall leaves have fallen and are making beautiful messes carpets in people’s yards. The weather this week is predicted to be a rain-snow mix in the mountain areas.

  • Auburn leaf carpet
    Colorful carpet
  • frosted leaves
    Frozen mess?
  • textured leaves on the sidewalk
    Fallen Ginkgo leaves on campus grounds

“October extinguished itself in a rush of howling winds and driving rain and November arrived, cold as frozen iron, with hard frosts every morning and icy drafts that bit at exposed hands and faces.”

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Aero and Brodie love keeping warm in their cold climate. Like Marsha’s Puppy Girl, Aero needs his sweaters for indoors and out!

BW warm dogs

In 2017, Brodie was still working on his nose scratching or paw-fives at 6 months old.

Dog high five

The American Kennel Club recommends:

Cuddling up with a dog is nothing new; think of the phrase “three dog night,” which describes a night so cold that one needs to sleep with three dogs to keep warm. Cuddling with another human, a dog, or both, not only keeps us warm, it releases oxytocin, also known as the “trust hormone” and the “cuddle chemical.”

AKC
It's Cold outside, for pets

And just for fun, how about some wool fleece “fur” as a liner for my snow boots? Keeps my feet warm!

Sorel Boots

Our pets know we love them and in return give us countless moments of pleasure along with their unconditional love.

  • Aero's Sepia paw
    Aero’s Warm Spot
  • Brodie and the Ball
    Brodie and the Ball
  • At Bowl and Pitcher
    Us with the dogs
  • Dogs at the South Rim of Grand Canyon
    Enjoying the Grand Canyon
  • Me and My Aero
  • Abstract Aero
  • Dressed up dogs ready to play
  • Blonde and brown dog yin and yang
    A Long Day on the Beach
  • Aero coaching Brodie on the finer points of a dog's life
    Aero coaching Brodie on the finer points of a dog’s life.
  • My Oreo

Fur-Babes We Miss

Gone but not forgotten, we wish we could still cuddle our previous pets. It’s been 10 years since I lost my Oreo (shown in the gallery above). I will always remember my sweet orange Leon who loved to lay on top of the car, still warm from the engine.

Leon the Cat
Leon's Memorial

“The years may seem to slowly pass,
Memories may begin to wane,
The time we long for will come at last,
When we shall be together again.”

Gary Kurz, Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates

Fantastic Feathers

As much as we LOVE our furry babes, and they are fur-ever mine, let’s pay tribute to our fabulous feathered friends. I miss seeing my Anna hummingbirds. Hopefully, I will get some visitors this spring! Enjoy my feathered friends’ gallery below.

Happy Hummingbird
  • Western Osprey
    Western Osprey
  • Flock of Quail
    Quail Family
  • Kite on a wire
    Kite on a Wire
  • roosting turkeys
    Turkeys on same wire, not at the same time
  • Wild turkeys
    There are always wild turkeys on the trail
  • Turkey Vulture
    Turkey Vulture

Magnificent bald eagle, not a magnificent photo…yet…

Bald Eagle circle Lake Couer D'Alene

…Which Bring Me to…An Amazing Journey

Last spring and summer, I had the delightful opportunity to follow a Facebook group called Blue Bell Court Eagles that featured a family of eagles that had built a nest in the photographer’s backyard. Diana posted daily her incredible images of Mom and Pop Eagle and their juvenile eaglet, Journey.

Disclaimer: Once again, Diana has graciously given me permission to share her photos on my blog today.

Bluebell Court Eagles c DianaGigler
Baby Eaglet Journey and Mom

I became emotionally attached knowing this bald eagle family lives within 5 miles of my house while marveling at Journey’s growth, through Diana’s stunning photography. Incidentally, some of her eagle images are on display at the local firehouse.

Bluebell Court Eagles c DianaGigler
Eaglet Journey keeps parents busy!

In June, due to oppressive and unprecedented heat in our area, Journey fledged early from the nest. He was rescued within the day and taken to Eastern Idaho’s Birds of Prey Northwest, where he spent weeks being nursed back to health and strong enough to be released back into the wild.

Bluebell Court Eagles c DianaGigler
Juvenile Journey Before the Fledge

Although his flight was strong and sure upon his release, he did not return to his nest, we were assured that he is still being cared for and trained to hunt and fish by his stalwart parents. Diana and I met in person at her home a few weeks ago where she showed me the nest. Although mostly empty now, save for a few curious local birds and occasional visits from Mom and Pop Eagle, Diana explained to me that they will be soon busy prepping the nest for a late winter hatching. I’m excited to be invited back in early spring for coffee and photography from her deck! My own eagle pics! I can’t wait!

Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders

  • Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
  • Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
  • Title your blog post a little differently than mine.
  • Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post. I also recommend adding your post’s URL into the comments.
  • Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
  • Use hashtag #SundayStills for sharing on social media.

More Photo Challenges this Week

Cee’s Flower of the Day
Dawn’s Festival of Leaves
Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday
Jude’s Life in Color: Black or Gray

This week I am looking forward to your creative ideas for fur and feathers! Go ahead, be “Paw-ssionate” and remain “Paws-itive” because I know you are each quite the amazing “photograph-fur.”

Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are the last week’s links from bloggers who shared their favorite EERIE photos.

Always Write

Cats and Trails and Garden Tales

Cath’s Camera

The Day After

NEW ThreeSixFiveSnap

Geriatrix Fotogallerie

Graham’s Island

Hugh’s Views and News Image in Comments

Kamerapromenader

Kanlaon

Light Words

Loving Life

Musin’ With Susan

Now At Home

Photos By Jez

Priorhouse Blog

Retirement Reflections Image shared on Instagram

Stevie Turner

Travel With Me

Une photo, un poème

Wind Kisses

Woolly Muses

Working on Exploring

Next week, our theme is all about leaves and trees! Enjoy your week!

paws signature

© 2021 Copyright — secondwindleisure.com — All Rights Reserved

Published by Terri Webster Schrandt

Now retired, I am former university adjunct faculty, self-published author, and retired recreation and parks practitioner living in Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle that includes fitness, photography, and fun.

114 thoughts on “Sunday Stills: Fur-tastic Paws and Birds of a Feather”

    1. Thank you, Kirstin! I never tire of photographing the fur babies and their antics! Sadly I’ll blink and they’ll be gone some day. I figured you would have dome good snow boots. Game changer for me for being able to walk/hike outside in the winter. Yes it has been amazing to see Diana’s eagle posts every day–she has been posting a lot from earlier this year–it won’t be long until they come back and begin nesting for winter!

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  4. These photos bring back memories of our own furry family members. Thanks for the memory.

    We loved all of our dogs and they gave our family love and companionship. We miss having a furry companion, but we now live in a no-pets condo and spend too much time traveling to support another family dog. Our memories will have to suffice.
    Thanks for participating in this week’s Cellpic Sunday challenge!

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  5. Terri, this might be my favorite post of all time. Your dogs are so adorable, and obviously, love each other as much as you love them. What a paw-fect opportunity this theme is to introduce everyone to all my babies. I love what you did for Leon to remember him. The eaglets are amazing pictures, and I am so excited that you will get to take your own next year. They are almost tame! So much fun. I can’t wait for January to see you again. I booked our flight from Jan 6-13 to go to CA. 🙂 So anytime after the 13th.

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    1. Aww, thank you, Marsha! How lovely to say so. As my sweet pets move into eternity I have bought (or made) a small headstone. I have Leon’s little urn. We brought Oreo’s cement headstone (more of a plaque) with us to Washington. Because of potential work, Hans and I may move our trip up to the day after Christmas to start making our rounds. I’ll talk to you more about it soon! Can’t wait to see your post!

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      1. You have such a kind, tender and thoughtful heart. I kind of gloss through life including the tragedies and changes. I’ll never forget the picture of you hugging your house goodbye. I would never have thought of doing that, but it touched me. 🙂

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      2. You are too kind! I got the house hugging idea from my brother, then my daughters did it and we all had to say goodbye in a physical way. I suppose we take a small piece of our former homes with us. I lived there 32 years and watched it change drastically. So I get a little sentimental 😉

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      3. That’s a super long time – half a lifetime and for your girls – a whole lifetime. I’ve never lived in a home longer than we lived in Woodlake, but I lived 35 years in the general area, so it was hard to leave. The turning point for me was realizing that God didn’t care where I lived. He could be with me anywhere. So from then on, I was all go! I love to go back and see my friends, but I think we made the right move.

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    1. Thank you so much, Jude! When we moved to Washington last winter, my lame “winter” boots failed after two dog walks in the snow. These are Sorels and the top of the line. A La Nina weather pattern is predicted with lots of cold and snow this year, so I’m ready! Enjoy your warm winter 🙂

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  13. Love the pup images; my pup is a challenge to photograph! And if he’s around when we finally get our Idaho home done, I’m sure he’ll appreciate a sweater too…almost bought one recently for the cold weather camping time. And, those eagle pics are wow…how exciting you’ll get to be there live thru the next hatching and baby eagle life,

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    1. HI Cheryl, sorry for the delay with my reply, this comment went to spam (how rude!). Get that sweater soon for your precious pup, you know how the supply chain is. I bought several for Aero on Amazon. Thank you for your kind words and always great to see your post at Sunday Stills!

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  14. Fun challenge this week Terri, I’m sure you’ll have tons of terrific responses! Our fur baby (age 15!)! passed away just before we moved south from NJ. We decided since we planned a great deal of travel it wouldn’t be fair to get another pet until we were ready to stay put but we do very much miss having a pup around the house. Those eagle images are amazing. that’s the first time I’ve seen an eaglet that young. I hope he/she is able to survive in the wild soon! I’m headed to our own Birds of Prey center with our photo club this week. Looking forward to lots of photo ops!

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    1. Thank you, Tina! Who doesn’t love a good fur and feather challenge? How fun to visit your local bird of prey center…I need to make a run out to the one in Idaho for some photo ops myself. Word is that Journey is doing fine and has been seen hanging out with another group of juvenile eagles on the lake.

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  15. Aero and Brodie look so comfortable on the couch, Terri. I love seeing dogs so happy. And you touched my heart with your photos of Oreo and Leon. Thanks for sharing Diana’s photos of Journey. I’ve loved following along and her images are amazing. Now that you know where the next is, I hope spring brings you lots of photo opportunities!

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    1. Haha, thanks, Diana, I believe I may have spoiled them a bit! Oh well, that’s what good vacuum cleaners are for! Although my mom raised a bunch of collies when I was a kid, (and I have fond memories of most of them) raising my own pets over the years is much more special. I will pass on to Diana your lovely compliment.

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  16. Terri,
    You’ve had some great posts, but this one ranks way up there with me. Your animal pictures are professional quality and you’ve endeared all of us to your pets.Thanks!
    My contribution is a picture of Chuck and Max, two pets we rescued and loved dearly. When we downsized, we had to find a home for them and a farmer came and took both to a place where they could roam at will. We’re thankful it worked out, but I miss them bunches.

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    1. Aww, thank you so much, Joe. I suppose when we love our furbabes, it shows in the lens! Chuck and Max are adorable and now living the good life on the farm. Thank YOU for sharing a piece of your heart with that image.

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    1. Thank you, Jo! Much appreciated. The wildlife here seems so exotic to me after years in suburbia with squirrels, raccoons, and other critters, but we did have some amazing birds. Now I’m just gaga over what I see so close to home–very blessed.

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  35. love all the fur and feathers photo’s you put up Terri…..I don’t know how I would live my life without my furry pups. what a privilege to photograph those amazing birds…the photos are magnificent.

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  49. Where would we and the world be without our pets, Terri? They bring so much love, loyalty and fun into our lives. I can’t imagine life without ours. And I love what you told us what cuddling with another human, dog, or both does. I say, keep releasing those oxytocins.
    The photos of your two dogs are beautiful. The photos alone tell me how much you love them.
    And I can’t leave without leaving another photo of Toby and Austin, can I? After all, Toby has slippers on.

    Enjoy the rest of your week.

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    1. I don’t even want to think of how life will be without my dogs, Hugh. Aero is 11 and heading toward the finish line, I expect–with 2-3 good years left. Brodie will be 5 next month. Sadly we don’t plan to replace them once they cross the rainbow bridge (we’ll see about that), since we want to travel eventually. But I will enjoy every second, as I have. Thank you for your kind comments and sharing your sweet pups, Toby and Austin! They are adorable, and I’m giggling at Toby’s (annoyed?) expression with those slippers on his paws!

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  54. So many amazing animal photos! It makes me happy to see Aero and Brodie so comfortable on your couch. That is a cozy photo. I am in a time of my life when having a pet would be impossible, not fair to the pet having to be by itself for many hours every day. One day I will have a dog, or two again. My daughter really wants a Sheba Inu. When she gets a little older and can take a bigger part in caring for the dog she can have one, this Christmas I am giving her a book about how to care for Sheba Inus, since it is a breed we’ve never had. Happy Friday!

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    1. Hi Maria, great to hear from you! The dogs love their half acre and new home, plus all the areas to explore! You will know when it’s right to get a dog. My step daughter has a Shiba in, what a wonderful dog. Nala is used to being home alone while everyone is at work, but my SD works close to home since they moved to Tempe, AZ. A Sheba would be a great choice for you all! Happy Friday!

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  55. I love the color of the leaves, plain or frost-tinged. Our leaves all came down in a whoosh this week and I liked seeing them swirling around in the street during a brisk wind, but they too will have frost on them tomorrow and if the predictions are correct, a few inches of snow to boot. Speaking of boots, yours look comfortable and warm and sturdy as well. I dread putting on the boots already. I love the pet photos and Diana’s photos as well. I was a week behind in Reader when I started tonight – last weekend wrapping up the yard chores put me immeasurably behind here.

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    1. Thank you for the lovely comments, Linda. I enjoyed sharing a bit about the pups and more about Journey the eagle! Our weather has been wet here and turn the drought around, but snow and cold are on the way. I recommend the Sorel boots for warmth, support and safety! Sorry to miss a SS post from you this week, but tomorrow’s theme is “leaves and trees.” Take pics of your leaf carpet 🤣🍁

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      1. Precious pet photos are the best! I bought a pair of Sorel boots years ago and remember they came in whole sizes and I went with a size nine for my 8 1/2 size and I didn’t feel confident navigating around on the ice when taking the bus as they had a loose fit. Many years later, since I’ve been working at home for a decade and living in Minnetonka mooseskin moccasins in the house and wearing wide walking shoes, I can now fit into those Sorel boots. I should consider the fleecy liners. I bought some hiking boots for Winter which do feel secure for walking as the Park staff does not always clear the walking paths. I’m letting the leaves blow in our 21 mph wind gusts today and hope that my neighbor’s tree drops everything today and out I go tomorrow … in the leaves and in the snow with the camera in tow.

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      3. They have wonderful traction though. I have my fingers crossed for tonight. My petite Japanese Weeping Maple hasn’t even turned red yet and drops its leaves sometimes in mid-Winter. I’ve had to pluck off leaves in the Spring in years past.

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