Furry and Feathered Friends of the Forest

Light poured in through every window this morning and the garden was radiating in all its splendor.

As soon as I brewed myself a cuppa coffee, I took the dog out and while I was taking a peek at the vegetables growing in their beds, I noticed Nelli was awfully quiet. "Nelli!" I called, but she did not return to me. I turned the corner to find her with her nose buried in some brush behind the house. She was still as a statue. I called her over and she came running with excitement. I heard the anxious cries of the Spotted Towhee birds that seem to be residents in our huckleberries. I quickly understood that Nelli had her nose in their nest. I tiptoed over to the brush and spotted the carefully crafted nest of the Spotted Towhee.

The nearly featherless chicks were snug as bugs sleeping while Nelli ever so gently poked her nose at them. The mama and papa Towhee's cries were unbearable, so I quickly stepped away. It is a wonder why the Spotted Towhee like to nest on the ground and out in the open. Makes me think about being more careful where i step in the future.  

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The garden in spring is ever so lush. Things can quickly grow out of control. 

I find myself working non stop in the spring, not receiving a break until summer has set in. 

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After spending the morning pulling weeds, pruning, and dragging brush to the burn pile, it was already lunchtime. Nelli joined me on the deck. We sat for only a moment with my salad & bagel in hand, when Nelli suddenly sprung up and barked fiercely.  She booked it towards the clothesline and I could see she was chasing a black bear who was now crashing back into the woods where he'd came from. I jumped up and cried out with my mouth full of lettuce, "Nelli!" again and again I called for her, so afraid she would chase the bear so deep into the woods that she might not come back. Finally, after a couple minutes she came bolting out of the woods. Phew! Well done, faithful dog! 

She was fearless. 

No wonder dogs are a man's best friend.  I just love how Nelli was so gentle with the baby birds, but oh so fierce with the bear.

We finished our lunch inside and Nelli was rewarded handsomely with duck jerky. 

I didn't feel like gardening much anymore, I mean, I did, but I was a little unsettled because of the bear. So, I figured I would bake! 

Blueberry muffin bread it was! 

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I wonder what tomorrow will bring?