The Passing of a Season

My time today was totally consumed by the training of the new pup. Sunny has made great strides in the one day that I have spent working with her. She now willing goes into her crate, comes when summoned and for all practical purposes can almost make it all the way down the hill to her assigned "latrine". (Sometimes, those little short legs just cannot make the distance before nature calls. She tries but occasionally loses the battle!) All of this training kept me from the pier and my normal hiking route. She and I made innumerable trips down the hill but none that required the camera. Plus, I have found that taking photographs with this pup along, is not possible....yet. The bumping, jumping and thumping will all have to come under control before any wildlife will ever be in range of the lens again. Sunny is just that hyper. I have become so used to Ezzy and her soft stride and patient "stays" that this new pup is quite the experience. She so reminds me of a "Little Ezzy" with her hyper ways and cute innocence that at times I almost make the mistake of calling her Ez. It will take a lot to calm this one enough to make her the photographer's best friend but she is just so darn cute that I am willing to make the effort!

The day before this little dynamo hit the Bayou, I did notice a lovely loon on the Bayou. For most of the winter, the bird has hung close around the Bayou and pier. Each morning, I watched as it fished for its breakfast and then much later I would watch as it settled in for the night. The bird and I became familiar with each other and I think it watched my movements as much as I watched its. I noticed during the last trek to the pier that this Common Loon was already filling out with its breeding plumage of black and white feathers. This made me a bit sad as I knew that soon my bird friend would be leaving the Bayou area to head northward. I am only blessed with the loons' presence during the winter months. Migration brings them in during late fall and then takes them out during early spring.

The next morning, I noticed three large birds flying over the Little Bayou House. The darkness of the early morning sky made it difficult for a sure identification through anything other than their shape and flight pattern. I am almost positive that these were Common Loons. They were heading northward. The season was changing for sure and the birds had started their migration. My heart sank a bit. "Have a safe journey, My Friend! I hope to see you this fall!"