Saturday, December 17

One month..and a thanks

4 weeks.
28 days.
Of confinement.
Pass the Xanax.

We're all doing really well..normal well for this time of year!
Things are busybusy at home, Michael is busybusy at work (retail management)...blahblahblah.
But, we're good!

AND...AND AND...
LOOK!



Santa must have heard my desperate pleas and sent a Pileated for Christmas.
About damned time.
It's only been 20 years.
First pileated woodpecker sighting was when I was 15..walking home from the bus stop..and I've only seen 4 since then.  FINALLY, a photo that looks like a bird and not a blackish blob!
----

As a pet owner, I'm required by law to take embarrassing photos of my dogs on holidays.

I think her headband is a little too tight.


Made the mistake of using the command "watch it!"..he's so intensely focused on cheese he looks like a maniac.

No dogs were harmed..or emotionally scarred.
My dogs are snobs.  $16 a pound Manchego cheese is an accepted reward for complying.  Regular old provolone? 
Hell no.

Henry is getting pretty bored, but is finding ways to amuse himself during confinement.

---
I appreciate you all not bailing on me during my vanishing act. I know we lose and gain followers all the time, but I gotta say..I really expected a lot of people to bail.  So, thanks for sticking it out :)
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34 comments:

  1. Muffy's MarksDecember 17, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    I am so glad you got to see the pileated wood pecker, and to get a photo of him to boot, they are so skittish. We have them they like to eat on suet blocks. Ours don't come by every day, but we do see them often. Your dogs looked pissed!! Have a great weekend.

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  2. TexWisGirlDecember 17, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    oh, sweet henry! :)

    yay for the pileated! i saw my first (two at once) here in Tx this summer as well!

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  3. AnonymousDecember 17, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Dang... a pileated!! Awesome photo... The only one I ever saw up close, well two at the same sighting, were a pair that landed on the railing of our back deck and of course a camera was not to be found. I hear them all the time in our woods but they just don't come out and show their faces. You lucky duck!

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  4. AnonymousDecember 17, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    AND OMG>.. loving Henry at play...amusing himself...LOL

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  5. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmDecember 17, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    How could we bail during the big confinement of 2011. No way.

    Congrats on your woodpecker siting!

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  6. JillDecember 17, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    I had 4 pileated in my yard the other day and thought of you! So happy one visited you. :)

    Your dogs gave me a huge smile. LOVE these!

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  7. Gone CountryDecember 17, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    Yay on seeing AND capturing a Pileated Woodpecker!

    The dogs are so festive! And Henry cracked me up when his head barely peeks out from his blanket! Love the squeaky toy noises too!

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  8. LeenieDecember 17, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Holy Cow! Nice catch! Mr. Woodpecker just knew you needed a visit from a guy with a festive red hat. And he managed to time it to when you had a camera. Super cool!

    LOL on the dogs in party hats. :-D

    Also a big smile from the "Henry does squeaky toy" video.

    Erm....if I look real intensely focused could I have some Manchego?

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  9. Where the Fur FliesDecember 17, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    I thought he had a budgie in there with him until I saw the ball.

    Glad you all are surviving the confinement.

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  10. CatDecember 17, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    I've only seen one or two of those myself, and never long enough to tak a photo... The one with the trees, makes your pups look like a pimped out Lady Liberty! ;D

    Cat

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  11. Brian KingDecember 17, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    LOL! Somehow your dogs do not look amused...based on their expressions, anyway. :-)

    Very nice shots of the Pileated Woodpecker! I've seen them many times over the years in the woods where we hunt. No photos, though.

    Glad you're doing well and hope Henry is out of confinement soon!

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  12. jp@A Green RidgeDecember 17, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    So who needs the Xanex more...you or Henry? Love the pileated woodpecker & yes, I'm jealous!...:)JP

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  13. Leslie December 17, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Oh HENRY! You are SO cute! I love a doggie that can amuse himself. (it is a nice trait in children, as well)

    Glad to see your other pups have their Christmas on. So festive!!!! =D

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  14. Leslie December 17, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Oh HENRY! You are SO cute! I love a doggie that can amuse himself. (it is a nice trait in children, as well)

    Glad to see your other pups have their Christmas on. So festive!!!! =D

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  15. AngelaDecember 17, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    I could never bail! I've got to see Pig when she comes out in the Spring. I've got to know if she sees her shadow when she comes out too! lol

    Henry is a hoot! Love the pictures of your other pups too!

    Merry Christmas!
    Angela

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  16. DanielleDecember 18, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Yeah, I can't bail either. I'm still waiting on my Pig guest post...

    :) Hope all is going well. People who'd leave you for slacking on posts are SUCKERZ!

    That tennis ball totally sounded like a bird!

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  17. laurak/ForestWalkArt :)December 18, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    it must be a good sign...the long lost sighting of the Pileated!! i love those birds...we get them here all the time!!

    ooooh henry! i hope he gets out from behind bars soon...and can run around with the others...with his xmas head dress on!!!!!!!!!!

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  18. tinajoDecember 18, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Mwahaha - I love to embarrass my pets too and these pics made me laugh out loud! :-D

    Is one of them an English setter by the way? I had one of that breed once, she had red dots though. Wonderful dog. :-)

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  19. UnknownDecember 18, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    Sam You are the best...those puppy photos are hilarious !

    And I wish I could see a big ole woodpecker like that...that and seeing an owl are my two dreams. I may have to go somewhere more wooded I suppose. although it is very rural around here. and I know they are around here somewhere.

    - KAT -

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  20. Buttons ThoughtsDecember 18, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Bail what's this bail you speak of? Did I miss Something:) Just like me were you gone?:) . You are funny.
    Glad things are working out. Merry Christmas I want a hat like that.
    That woodpecker was worth the very long wait AWESOME. B

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  21. ~from my front porch in the mountains~December 18, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    Bail on you? Hell no! Thanks for the update.
    I cannot imagine working retail at Christmas. God bless Michael!
    So happy the pups are doing well and have not turned you into the animal welfare police for making them wear silly attire :)
    Have a great Monday!
    xo, misha

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  22. NancyDecember 19, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    Love the woodpecker photos -- I don't believe we have that type here.

    Poor Henry! I do hope he gets paroled soon. :)

    And yes, my dogs love snow. Not looking good for a White Christmas here, but that's okay...

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  23. Dawn@Lighten Up!December 19, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Congrats on the pileated! I see those here a couple times a year. Had no idea I was so lucky.
    Merry Christmas!

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  24. warrenDecember 19, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    I see Pileated woodpeckers pretty often but I have never gotten a pic worth half of a crap...well done on yours!

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  25. Tami WeingartnerDecember 19, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    Henry looks to be adjusting okay. It's probable harder on you.

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  26. JoeDecember 20, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    We have tons of the Pileateds around here. I see at least one every time I go hunting.

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  27. DawnDecember 20, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Henry is hilariously sweet:)

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  28. Larry OstbyDecember 22, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    I have had a pileated teasing me for weeks. I hear him often, see little and photograph him NOT. Glad to see you finally got yours.

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  29. jeanlivingsimpleDecember 23, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    WOW.WOW.WOW. The Pileated photos are super! I am so darn jealous!

    Merry Christmas!!!

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  30. GOATDecember 26, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Great bird shot, some nice colour in the wintery woods. Have a great festive season!

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  31. Maery RoseDecember 26, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    I saw a pileated woodpecker 7 years ago. I practically danced around the pole he was on in amazement. Since then, I've only seen evidence of their work on some trees. My but they do make huge holes! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

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  32. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2012 at 7:40 AM

    Happy New Year Sam! I'm hoping 2012 is a breath of fresh air!!

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  33. UnknownJanuary 3, 2012 at 10:10 PM

    Boo Hoo Where are you ?

    - KAT -

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  34. sonia a. mascaroJanuary 31, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    Your dogs looks adorable!
    Love the video of Henry playing,
    entertaining himself.

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