First Week of Spring

 Today we've been promised rain - the emerging spring flowers (and I) need it. (I just lost power - again. We're having a slight small spring shower and we lose power. We have a third rate power grid here.)

I've been working in my south forest trimming branches and removing grapevines from the trees. I can while away hours "working" in my forests. Not a care in the world then. No politics. Just peace, perfect peace.

This bizarre bird, a woodcock, was bobbing along and prospecting for worms, beetles, pill bugs, et cetera. I think they're the birds that have been "singing" strange songs that sound kind of like frog croaking. 

I love wooly bear caterpillars. We see them crawling along the ground looking for something to eat even in the middle of winter. 

And, speaking of wooly bears, here's Tryggur

And his sisters Birna and Kria. I know they have all have inherited their mother's smarts, for which I am grateful. Birna's tail looks like it could become a "korkur" tail like both of her parents' tails; both Cola and Kit have really nice tails - in my opinion. I suspect that Kria, Birna, and Tryggur will have korkur tails too.

Birna

Kria

Kria

Kit and Cola's Pups this week

 Vinlands Icelandic Sheepdog puppies from Cola (Hidow Sweetness Overload) and Kit (Vinlands Ulfbehrta Kit) born December 23, 2020. I think they've taken over, don't you? Tryggur has learned (sort of) Sit, Down, Come, Stay/Wait, Front, Release, Trade, Watch Me, Get in your Box, Hurry Up, Wanna Go Outside, Leave It. Icies are very very smart and they want, really want to experience new things and to learn new stuff. 

The three siblings recently: - 

Tryggur and Kit

Trygg and Kit napping in the cats' bed by one of my reading chairs. When Tryggur collapses, he really collapses. Poor boy. My motto - keep him tired, too tired to get into mischief.  Eat, bathroom, exercise, nap, bathroom, exercise, nap - pretty much sums up his day (and mine too, hahaha!)

Tryggur's ears are now both "up". Earlier this week one of them made it up, the next day both were in the correct "prick eared" position. Now he has no excuse not to hear me - I tell him.

He's starting to look more and more like his namesake: - 

Tryggur fra Olafsvollum

From Sally and Daniel: - 

Birna is doing great, as is big ‘sister’ Timber.

Here she is hanging out in Timber’s bed and relaxing, surrounded by a few of her (many) toys! Very hard to get good photos of both of them playing. 

Birna is super smart-a very quick learner. Makes it a pleasure to work with her. She is also very, very sweet-aims to please-and totally in love with Timber, who is most definitely in charge!

We are very mindful of keeping Timber on her usual routine and giving her ‘space’ without puppy. All in all, we are thrilled with both Timber and Birna.

From Michele and Caitlin: - 

Kria is more like a toddler every day, zooming, nap time and when she quiet you need to check what she’s up to!! She loves playing with her Sammy sister!

Spring comes late here but it does come. By my east porch, this is one of my witchhazels in flower.

More winter aconite.

Clicking on photos enlarges them.

Vinlands Tryggur and his mom Vinlands Ulfberhrta Kit. Soon he is going to be taller/bigger than she is.  The ears of his siblings, Kria and Birna, have been "up" for quite some time now. (Officially that's called "prick ears".) He's a fluffy dude with quite a bit of fur, his ears so far are still "down" - I'm hoping that his ears will come up soon. We'll wait and see!

Trygg and Kit

Vinlands Tryggur

A couple of recent morning sunrises; 

I love watching the sun rise (sic).

Finally, FINALLY the winter aconites are up and open. Little jewels that brighten my heart when they appear, harbingers of what's to come and much appreciated. They have spread nicely.

Late last summer or early fall I noticed that a pair of bluebirds had started nesting. I wondered if they would have time to finish their rearing. I just cleaned out my nest boxes to prepare for the soon expected spring arrival of tree swallows and bluebirds and found their eggs in the box they had chosen. I hope the adults survived and will be back again and start a new nest at a more appropriate time.  I wonder if the eggs had started developing before mom and dad left. I was surprised that winter's freezing temperatures hadn't cracked the eggs! (The eggs are resting on some seeds.)

A murder of crows in a nearby cottonwood tree.

A trio of bird species on  one of my feeders.

OK. So. Look at the size of those ears. If their size is any indication of Tryggur's eventually adult size, he's going to be a big boy! I'm guessing and hoping that the reason, well, one of the reasons, that his ears aren't "up" yet is their size. We're still working on housebreaking. He brings me lots of treats - dead leaves, sticks, chunks of ice, dead birds, and, gratefully, he is willing to trade them for a dog treat when I say "Release".

Vinlands Tryggur

On Monday Tryggur went to Dr. Ellen Sanford at Town and Country Vets and had his second vaccination (DHLPP CVK). I think his next vaccination will be the one year rabies in three or four weeks. One of the vet tech folks said he reminds her of her husky. Same gene pool, close relatives, both Spitz dogs, also much different size and temperaments.

Trygg

Vinlands Kria

Kria

Vinlands Birna

Birna and Miss Timber

Icelandic Sheep

 Daniel, who adopted  Birna recently, sent me this bowtie as a thank you. A friend of his picked it up in Reykjavik. It reminded me of a pair of sweaters I knitted many years ago. They are really warm and I don't know if the bowtie would show if actually worn with it (unless I wore on over my forehead?).

The tie is greatly appreciated. Thank you my friend.

Icelandic Bowtie on Icelandic Sheepdogs

(Probably will never be a "thing" but . . . )

Daniel's Bowtie on Kit

Daniel's Bowtie on Totty

(Is Tot really sticking our her tongue at me saying: - 

"Our two legged dad is so silly sometimes."?)