Give Peeps a Chance

One of the many privileges of working for my employer of the last several years is our beautiful campus. We have plenty of green space, and the landscape designers went to the trouble of recreating the small streams and wetlands that occur naturally just a few miles up the road from here. As such, we have a plentiful supply of wildlife just outside our windows. I see nutria, Canada geese, ducks, and herons on a daily basis. And on several occasions I've even seen deer.

The resident population of Canada geese can range from just a few pairs of "permanent" dwellers all the way up to 150+ migrating geese enjoying some respite for a few days (or even weeks) at a time. While I love sharing the campus with these beautiful fowl, I know a number of folks who are less than excited about the abundance of goose poop on the sidewalks. And then, of course, there are the handful of people who are deathly afraid of birds. Watching those individuals take some very circuitous and inventive routes across campus to avoid them is practically a spectator sport. I think perhaps the geese take some sadistic pleasure in hissing at and chasing those people, who squeal and bolt like frightened bunnies. Me? I'm the Goose Whisperer. I speak to them softly as I walk by, and they let me pass in peace, and sometimes even chat back.

My *favorite* time of the year on campus is April because of -- you guessed it -- the goslings!! We've had three newly-hatched broods in the past 2 1/2 weeks, so I took advantage of the clear skies on Friday to go out on a little photo safari at lunchtime.

It's really not fair to the rest of the universe to have this much cuteness concentrated in such a small area. Brace yourselves -- this may hurt a little. :o)

This first set of 7 was about 2 weeks old at the time of the photos...












By comparison, this next group of 5 was only 3-4 days old at the time the photos were taken. They grow at an astounding rate, believe me!











And finally, just in case you haven't reached the cuteness saturation point, here are the newest 2 goslings, who just joined this world about 20 hours prior to their photo shoot today...







So there you have it. In a world faced with economic crisis and deadly weather phenomena, there is still new life and goodness all around. As they say, give peeps a chance.

Of Sunshine and Moods

After a freakishly snowy winter, Oregon was blessed the past few days by an early visit from Spring. We've now had 3 (or 4?) days in a row in the 70s, with a high yesterday of around 78 degrees.

Before you get too jealous, keep in mind we're going to plummet right back into the 50s tomorrow, in the typical fast-cycling bi-polar weather patterns of the Willamette Valley. Nonetheless, after a few emotionally draining weeks, the sunshine was a rather nice tonic. I made sure to get my fishbelly white flesh out into the sun as much as possible to induce production of that natural happy-maker, Vitamin D.

For those of you who are reading this and needing to live vicariously because you are still snow-bound, or threatened by tornados or floods, here are a few pics to get you in the spirit.

I took the opportunity on Sunday to plant some pansies in my balcony flower boxes...



Naturally, they're all purple, because that's how I roll...



I let the furs join me on the balcony to get in touch with their inner wild cats. Or at least with their inner lazy couch-potatos, but in an outdoor setting for a change.

The Bear...





Her Royal Highness, Emma...





The Princess, Khaliah...





Of course, all of these scenes of feline ease were *before* they realized that the penalty for rolling in my potting soil and getting goodness knows what kinds of dirt and pumice and fertilizer in their coats was that they all got baths when we came back inside. There are no pictures from *that* portion of the day, as I was too busy wrestling damp cats and protecting my vital organs to use a camera. That was pretty much a buzz-kill, and they spent the rest of the evening shooting me suspicious looks and probably flipping me the bird when I wasn't looking.

Anyhow, here's your window into my sunny afternoon, which will be just a lingering memory when the downpours start tomorrow and last for the rest of the week. I'll have to revert to the mantra I picked up from someone at work on one such rainy morning: "I love Oregon because it's so green... I love Oregon because it's so green..."

Clown Snake

For my friend, Patricia...



Because the only thing scarier than a snake is a clown. And the only thing scarier than a clown is a snake with clown makeup. (I won't even go into the clown with snake makeup.)

I will gladly be your human shield anytime you come across hissing geese, whiskered rodents, or slithering garter snakes. I'm glad to call you my friend, and I only tease you because I love you... and because you're so cute when you squeal and run away. :o)

Hugs.