This contented Canada goose is enjoying the calm before the storm. Come Wednesday, it will be battling heavy snow, 60 mph winds and white-out blizzard conditions.

After a few days off here we are again! :)

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! Thank you for your generous comments and nicest wishes. Cheers!

As I was heading for the exit of a shopping mall, I pulled my car into a parking space when I saw this dog looking smugly contented wearing sunglasses. As you can see, this dog was not alone. What is not shown are the dog's companions who are asking for handouts. People in this position often employ animals to make others more sympathetic to their plight.

A wonderful backroad crosses Kebler Pass at 9980 ft. elevation, between Somerset to the north and Crested Butte to the south, one of the prettiest areas of the Colorado Rockies, especially renowned for its autumn color, as well as a great backdrop for grazing horses. This scene was captured on a perfect day in September, 1993.

View my collections on flickr here: Collections

Press L for a larger image on black.

NE New Mexico, USA

Tomorrow's Ghosts Weekend, Whitby, November, 2019.

Taken at St Fagans National History Museum, just one of the many contented animals living there.

Paddy and Scout are visiting Katy Kola, who lives in the gum tree we planted on the nature strip outside our house for her to live in.

KATY KOALA: *Munches gum leaves contentedly.*

PADDY: "Happy Australia Day, Katy!"

SCOUT: "Yes, Happy Australia Day Miss Katy!"

KATY KOALA: *Stops munching gum leaves.* "Oh why thank you Paddy and Scout!"

SCOUT: "We thought that as an Australian ma... mar... marsup..."

PADDY: "Marsupial, Scout?" *Helpful.*

SCOUT: "As an Australian native, we thought we should wish you a happy Australia Day. Miss Katy!"

KATY KOALA: "That is very thoughtful of you, Scout. Would you two care to join me for an Australia Day tea party?"

SCOUT: "A tea party!" *Excited.*

PADDY: "Why thank you, dear Katy."

SCOUT: "What are you serving with the tea? Shortbreads? Caramel fudge? Grumbly tummy Miss Katy! Grumbly tummy!" *Rubs tummy vigorously.*

KATY KOALA: *Giggles.* "Oh no, Scout! Something much better than shortbreads or caramel fudge!"

PADDY: "Daddy's shortbreads are pretty hard to beat on a deliciousness scale, Katy."

SCOUT: "What could be more delicious than shortbreads or caramel fudge, Miss Katy?"

KATY KOALA: "Well, you see I’m not particularly keen on shortbreads or caramel fudge, so I’ll be serving these gum leaves instead." *Holds up gum leaves. "These ones are especially sweet and juicy because they are young and fresh. Here try some.” *Holds them out for Paddy and Scout to try.*

SCOUT and PADDY: *Nibble tentatively at a bit of gum leaf each.*

PADDY: “Oh dear!” *Sticks out cute little bear tongue.* “These gum leaves they..."

KATY KOALA: "Yes?"

PADDY: "Well, they taste… err... that is to say that from my perspective...”

KATY KOALA: "Yes?"

SCOUT: “They taste yucky!” *Sticks out cute little pink bear tongue.* “They taste yucky Miss Katy, even more yucky than prunes! Blagh!” *Sticks out cute little pink bear tongue again.*

PADDY: “Scout!"

SCOUT: "It's true Paddy!" *Nods seriously as he screws up his muzzle in distaste. "And Daddy says that we must always tell the truth!"

PADDY: "I know, but... well there is such a thing as decorum." *Shakes head in disapproval.*

SCOUT: "Who cares about decorum! Those gum leaves taste yucky, Paddy! Blagh!” *Sticks out cute little pink bear tongue again.*

PADDY: "Well, thank you so much for the invitation, Katy, but I think we may stick to our own Australia Day tea party with shortbreads and Krówki Polish creamy fudge for our elevenses.”

KATY KOALA: “Goody! More for me then! Grumbly tummy Paddy! Grumbly tummy Scout!” *Proceeds to munch on gum leaves contentedly.*

PADDY: “Hullo everyone and everybear! Do you know what? Today, the 26th of January is Australia Day: Australia's national day! Now for many people and bears, it is a day of celebration and tea parties and fun as we celebrate the joy of living in such a beautiful and wonderful country with unique flora and fauna - like Katy who is not a bear, but an Australian marsupial, which is an animal that carries its babies in a pouch. However, for some others, Australia Day is not a day that represents happiness. If you are celebrating Australia Day today, happy Australia Day! If however you are not, whilst we are not political bears, we are diplomatic and we respect that too, and we would like to wish you a lovely Sunday anyway!"

My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.

He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.

Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.

Katy Koala is a special guest, who was going to live with one of my goddaughters some years ago, but I became rather attached to her, so she never made it there, and instead took up residence in the gum tree we planted the same year she came to live with us. The profits raised from her purchase go towards preserving native habitat for koalas.

Saturday found me contentedly enjoying this remote quiet beach all to myself in the mid afternoon as the sky cleared and the weak winter sun began to disappear towards the southern horizon.

It's not often you find a pristine bit of sand in these parts, and I happily sauntered from one composition to the next, finding this little convergence of streams meandering towards the sea.

Verymuch des Orangers' favorite position, lying down

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Near the Old Man of Storr I photographed this well-fed, contented-looking cow that I think might have been a cross-bred Highland cow, possibly a Highland-Hereford cross, grazing in a meadow, Trotternish, Isle of Skye, Scotland.

26/01/2023 www.allenfotowild.com

T o d a y

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine

I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine

A million tomorrows shall all pass away

Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, Today

Ere I forget all the joy that is mine, Today

Words and Music by Randy Sparks

The look on this Gentlemen's face seems to show someone at peace with himself...

This female (or juvenile, because they both have dark streaking) Snowy Owl was contentedly perched on this rather ugly fence rail, looking like s/he was almost asleep. This was the first Snowy that we came across yesterday, 13 January 2018, when a group of us went east of the city in search of owls and anything else. Later, we saw another three Snowies before it was time for the friend I was riding with to get back to the city, as he had some final preparations to get done before heading off on a trip today. After we had left the rest of the group, we came across a fifth Snowy, perched on a piece of machinery in a field. A nice treat before we headed back to civilization. I heard later that the rest of the group saw a total of seven Snowy Owls, as they stayed out for the whole afternoon. This winter doesn't seem to be a good year for these owls. Some years, the Internet is full of photos of these spectacular visitors, but this year I'm not seeing many. Thanks so much for the ride, Tony - so much appreciated, as always.

After all the frigid weather we have had so far this winter, yesterday felt balmy. Actually, I'm not sure what the temperature was, but it must have been above 0C. There was no cold wind and it just felt pleasant. The sun was shining and the sky was full of 'good' clouds. Not sure why almost all my photos were too blurry to keep - maybe the light wasn't as good as I thought it was. However, I did get a shot of each of the owls, so I'm happy. A few other bird species were also seen, including Common Redpolls and Horned Larks, one Gray Partridge, Magpies, etc.. Tony also spotted a Prairie Falcon on our way back to the city.

Many thanks, Terry, as usual, for taking us on this owl prowl. It was a great trip and, especially for those who had never seen a Snowy Owl before, a most amazing experience. As with any kind of owl, it doesn't matter how many one sees, I always find each time is as awesome as the very first time.

We are back to scattered flurries for this afternoon, 14 January 2018, but our temperature is a reasonable -2C (windchill -4C). The next three days are expected to be good, but then the forecast is for a couple of snowy days.

Monkey Forest at Trentham, Staffordshire, England is a wonderful place to visit. The many Barbary Macaques are so relaxed and contented in the environment.

This Koala was smiling for the shot.

Carnation Farms sits on a hillside in the Snoqualmie Valley in Kings County Washington. Taken on a rainy late September afternoon, this photo shows the trees and foliage that surrounds the farm on the hillside. Carnations Farms was the creation of Elbridge Amos Stuart who came to the grim realization that there were not enough cows in the world to produce the volume of milk he thought he needed for his fledgling Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company (Carnation Milk).

The following history is taken from Carnation Farm’s website. carnationfarms.org/our-story/our-story-slide-4/

Carnation Farms was created in 1908, when founder E.A. Stuart purchased the original 360 acres of farmland—sight unseen because of a tip from his childhood friend, Sam Hill, that the railroad would soon connect to this part of the world. In purchasing this farm his first priority was to increase the productivity of dairy herds. Another task was to get the milk to one of his milk plants in Monroe though his friend Sam (and the railroad) would solve this problem for him in 1911. Stuart’s ideas fundamentally changed milk production, starting with the cows themselves.

To increase milk production, he embarked on a selective breeding program of Holstein cows which would dramatically increase the volume of milk that his cows produced on the farm and eventually around the world. Stuart was increasingly paying attention to the bloodlines of his animals and instituted a policy which would ensure the cows were happy as well as healthy. Carnation Farms built their dairy operations around the concept of well treated cows. EA fostered the idea that cows which avoided stress and mistreatment would be able to produce more milk. In a 1906 marketing meeting in Chicago, he described the treatment of the cows, how they were fed and the farm that they lived on. A lady from the marketing firm absent mindedly commented that “they must be very contented cows”. This was the light bulb moment in which the tag line for the company was born.

In the breezeway of the main barn, where many of the milking cows were housed, there remains to this day a sign which lays out guidelines for how to treat the cows:

“The RULE to be observed in this stable at all times, toward the cattle, young and old, is that of patience and kindness….

Remember that this is the home of mothers. Treat each cow as a mother should be treated. The giving of milk is a function of motherhood; rough treatment lessens the flow. That injures me as well as the cow. Always keep these ideas in mind in dealing with my cattle.”

Since its founding in 1908, Carnation Farms has gone through a few transitions. The Stuart family sold the company and the farm to Nestle in January of 1985. Nestle ran the farm until 2008 when a non-profit bought it. The family repurchased the farm in 2010. October of 2016 began a new start for the historic farm when Elbridge Stuart III, Debra Stuart, Sarah Stuart Oderyd, and Daniel Oderyd, inspired by E.A. Stuart’s philanthropic legacy, founded a new non-profit called Carnation Farms. The new mission aims to go back to the farm’s roots. They intend to share the 818-acre organic farm with the community. The mission is to promote environmentally sustainable practices that connect people and communities to the land through farm based and culinary education. It is hoped that these efforts will inspire healthy and balanced lifestyles and an appreciation of the history of past generations of the Carnation valley.

Morgan Territories Road, California, USA

Next door's cat who is very friendly with our own. He does so much like to lounge on the top of our worn out shed. We will get rid of it one day, but only when Will no longer needs it.

"Yes, wish I could take my fleece off !"

Two Herdwick sheep, probably a mother and her lamb, resting in the shade in the Lake District, close to Crummock Water. They looked contented enough, but all that wool must be so hot in this weather we're having. They didn't mind me taking their photo at all... very nice to be so close. I love sheep as you might know. Have to be very quiet and calm around them.

Herdwick sheep are the ‘gardeners’ of the Lake District and are vital to the maintenance of the landscape we know and love. They graze on a wide range of plants across the vast acres of the fells – everything from heather to bilberry and bracken, which keeps the scenery as we know it.

The name "Herdwick" is derived from the Old Norse herdvyck, meaning sheep pasture. The lambs stay with their mothers and graze close to their farm so they can learn where it is they call ‘home’ and where not to stray too far from! Farmers call this being “heafed” to the fell, something that has been bred into them over hundreds of years. This is why the breed is said to be irreplaceable – other sheep would wander up the fells and not know to come back down. They are very hardy and can live in severe cold which is common on the fells, although not on this particular day or in the heatwave we're having now.

Edited in Topaz Studio, with frame from PicMonkey. As always, thanks so much for your comments and faves - always so appreciated.

This contented couple was sound asleep there! This was the first time we've seen the sun for days and they were taking full advantage even though it was only 40 F.

Contented Couple

Pelicans contentedly roosting for the night on these cold rocks. Personally, I couldn't think of anything much worse!

Better viewed large.

Mist, just chill'in and being one contented little doggie!

*** Attribution: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

She just got brushed...

Indigo Bunting, Wheeler NWR

Cattle relax in a southern Ohio pasture after grazing under the late October sun.

Nuthatch

She's a very contented viper resting in her favorite spot about 5 feet from the boardwalk. Locals say she's in this same spot most any time of the day, and they've seen her here for the past several months. I'm guessing total length to be about 26 inches, so I'm calling it a "her".

Nikon D7200, Nikon 200-500mm. 1/640 sec at f/5.6, ISO 900, 500mm.

29 Apr 2018, Beidler Forest, Harleville, SC, USA.

I spent a contented hour at a local common walking through grass that grew up past my waist, looking for interesting things to be captured by my camera. I have to admit that I thought I'd go out and get some good shots of butterflies but no one told me how skittish they were. After chasing a selection of the beasties around for a good while without any significant success I switched tacts and looked for something else to shoot that didn't fly away when I was just about to press the shutter button. So I switched out my macro lens for my lensbaby and concentrated on flowers and insects instead. I had a couple of shots of this flower, which incidentally is an exuberant pink/magenta colour, and when I got home went through a number of looks for it in Lightroom. I eventually came up with this one, which is unusual but quite pleasing to the eye. Well my eye at least.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

We enjoyed a day in Kathmandu before commencing our 20-day trek to the north and south sides of Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain on earth. The five-day Hindu festival known as Tihar (aka Deepawali, The Festival of Lights) is the second most important in Nepal. The second day of the holiday is dedicated to dogs as a dog is the vehicle of Bhairab, the fierce manifestation of Shiva (the creater and destroyer). I photographed this contented dog on the second day of the festival, when dogs are offered treats, draped with garlands of marigolds and honored with a tika (a red paste mark) on their foreheads.

Paddy, eyes almost closed in a brief 'sunspot' moment.

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