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.
Colorful carpet 
Frozen mess? 
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!
In 2017, Brodie was still working on his nose scratching or paw-fives at 6 months old.
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
And just for fun, how about some wool fleece “fur” as a liner for my snow boots? Keeps my feet warm!
Our pets know we love them and in return give us countless moments of pleasure along with their unconditional love.
Aero’s Warm Spot 
Brodie and the Ball 
Us with the dogs 
Enjoying the Grand Canyon 
A Long Day on the Beach 
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.
“The years may seem to slowly pass,
Gary Kurz, Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates
Memories may begin to wane,
The time we long for will come at last,
When we shall be together again.”
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.
Western Osprey 
Quail Family 
Kite on a Wire 
Turkeys on same wire, not at the same time 
There are always wild turkeys on the trail 
Turkey Vulture
Magnificent bald eagle, not a magnificent photo…yet…
…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.
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.
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.
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.”
Last Week’s Eerie Links
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.
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
NEW ThreeSixFiveSnap
Hugh’s Views and News Image in Comments
Retirement Reflections Image shared on Instagram
Wind Kisses
Next week, our theme is all about leaves and trees! Enjoy your week!
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