Grevillea superb.

It is easy to see how this exotic flower came by its common name.

I saw this specimen in the Australian section at Kew Gardens,England . I was immediately transfixed by its curious beauty. It is a compact evergreen shrub, a hybrid with long lasting flower clusters.

Click on image to enlarge.

Jasper: What are you doing back there, Dad?

Todd: Trying to take your portrait.

Jasper: Seriously Dad! Put down the camera and let's play frisbee.

Orders received. Will comply.

Jasper stands sentry by the bougainvillea. Waiting. Watching. Must keep the humans safe.

Sydney Opera House

Beautiful view from Wattamolla Beach

There is a lot of ground that needs patrolling. You have to use your nose to find out what animals have been around and what other dogs have been here. Jasper is on it.

It's important to Jasper that both of his humans are engaged in playtime. So he waits and waits and waits while Mom finishes something or other in the kitchen. A more considerate human would wipe the counters AFTER playtime, right Jasper?

6 weeks old Australian Shepherd

Jasper took a break from playing with Monkey Business in the back yard. Fun times!

We're still in Wisconsin visiting family, so a photo from a while back of Jasper enjoying the neighborhood early morning sun..

Jasper keeps a keen eye on his humans in the evenings. If they move, they might be ready to play. Right Edward the Elephant

Jean, Jasper and I had an opportunity to meet one of my Flickr / Instagram friends in the real world this weekend. Borzena joined us at the Riparian Preserve and we had a nice stroll, took some pictures (mostly of Jasper) and got to know each other. She's a very talented photographer so it was fun to share our love of photography. This is one of the shots I took along the way, Jasper posing with his usual grace and professionalism.

Queried Jasper with a tilt of his head and a proffer of Betty Bunny

I think Jasper looks right at home her exploring the Old West. I'm glad he's showing his mustache in the shot to kind of fit with the theme. Those sun-kissed mountains in the back are the Superstition Mountains. In the first comment I've shown the real set of explorers - a phone pic that my sister-in-law's husband took of us on the trail

Jasper is playing the sympathy card here, looking up at me with his puppy eyes. Pleading for play. Which of course we did. Jasper brought out Lemur the other day. Lemur's neck is broken and he can't hold his head up, but he remains in good spirits, always ready for a little rough and tumble.

When we saw this pleasingly purple plant along our walk, we knew we needed a photo.

Jasper just loves playing in the back yard. It's his happy place. I took this portrait of him the other evening after some fun play and as the sun faded. I liked the bokeh as the dwindling sun filtered through the trees

Jasper has to run perimeter checks. All is well.

Jasper inspects the shrubbery troops. A perfect line. Tops high and tight. Polished roots. Everything is ship shape. Inspector Jasper gives them a paws up. And he knows where to go in case he runs into the Knights that say , "Ni" (Monty Python reference)

Here's Jasper doing his impression of a barrel cactus, like those behind him. Nice try Jasper, but you're just not prickly at all

With very pleasant weather, we've been playing in the back yard quite a bit. But at some point I have to tell Jasper we've got to go in. Got stuff to do, you know. But Jasper always gives me this totally disappointed look, like, "what do you mean we have to go inside? We were just having fun!" Well, kiddo, life has a few disappointments along the road. Took this shot blind as Jasper looked me in the face to communicate he wasn't ready to go in.

I think his coat is looking particularly full in this portrait. Poor guy suffers a bit when its hot. And it's very hot this week. Highs through the mid week are 117ºF (47ºC) and last night the low only got to 91ºF (33ºC). Jean said he was a trooper on their walk this morning though. A few stops to crunch on ice cubes, then soldier on. We don't bother with his after-dinner walk this time of year. Instead, we play in air conditioned comfort.

Jasper commiserates with Betty Bunny after the humans stopped playing. Poor Jasper never gets any attention!

Here's an example of how Jasper is ignored and lives just a horrible existence. On a typical weekday morning I do a workout while Jean walks Jasper. Yesterday I got done with my workout and came downstairs to find Jean on the floor massaging Jasper. I said, "Hey, how come you never massage me?" She said, "You're not soft and furry and fluffy" True, none of those adjectives fit Todd. But if Jasper isn't getting a massage when they get home from the walk, he's getting play and fun and love. What an existence.

Sunset over Port Darwin, seen from Bicentennial Park, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

The Rocks, Sydney

Australia

If I'm sitting back on the couch and Jasper his failing to get my attention, he'll sometimes poke his head over the arm of the sofa to peekaboo me. Next he'll place a toy on the arm of the sofa. Then comes the none too subtle move of putting his front paws up on the couch and placing the toy on my lap. He's a playboy for sure. And a cute one at that so he mostly gets us to play. (BTW: if you're wondering what that angular black mass is on the right of the frame, it's just my iPad with keyboard sitting on the arm of the sofa)

Well looky here, Jasper bagged himself a rooster. Rebel Rooster that is. Poor Rebel, face down in shame. But, such is the life of a dog toy

Waiting. Watching. Wondering. Betty Bunny at the Ready. A typical evening scene with Jasper

Taking on a rather serious expression, Jasper investigates rumors of lizards at Boyce Thompson Arboretum

One good thing that has come out of the pandemic is that the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix have opened their gates to dogs more often. This month, you can bring your dog every Sunday morning. Jasper seems to enjoy it. Especially these shady respites where he can relax and do a bit of people watching.

Jasper came with us to the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch on Saturday. This is a 110 acre park about 15 minutes from our home. It features 7 recharge ponds that are stocked with fish for the birds. There is also a fishing pond stocked with fish for humans to catch. The park is free and ebird.org typically lists over 300 species of birds that have been spotted there. The park is a real gem in our community. Jasper has been birding with me his whole life. Fortunately, he's never chased the birds. Only watched them with interest.

A shot of one of the ponds in the first comment.

The weather was really delightful this past weekend. Normally, after Jasper eats his dinner we take a walk around the neighborhood. But Sunday Jasper had play on his mind. We started on a walk, but he did his "business" right away and then started pulling us back home. Once back home, he grabbed Betty Bunny and stood at the back patio door. Oh, we had such fun with Betty and frisbees and running and flying and jumping and tugging and challenging. [pant, pant, pant...] I'm getting tired out just typing about it 😀

Jasper at the riparian preserve wondering why Mom took his leash off and told him to stay. Humans are so weird!

"You will play! You will play! You will play! " broadcasted Jasper through the powers of his mind. Then suddenly, inexplicably, I got up to play. Amazing how we fall victim to the powers of a dog's telepathy

Jasper perches to take a look around at the water tower square in Gilbert, Arizona

Jasper keeps an eye out for lizards and ground squirrels and whatnot. All those creatures that inhabit the rocks and scrub of the desert

Jasper turned 12 on Friday, July 21st. So we celebrated in grand style this weekend with toys, and treats and play. Such fun. A couple of new friends have joined the fray. The orange fella on the left is Mr. Gecko. And on the right is Mosely the Marvelous Moose, but his friends call him Moosey . Jasper is doing quite well for a 12-year-old. He maybe takes a few more naps but still has energy and playfulness.

Jasper awaits the toy toss in our “official play area”. The games are so much fun! As long as the humans are actually 100% engaged. It’s funny, but if Jean and start talking about our day or discussing something human during Jasper’s play time, he just lays down and refuses to play until we’re done with the human talk. He wants us fully engaged in the play or he doesn’t even want to play. “Look! You guys are either playing or you’re not. Let me know when you’re done humanizing”. Geez, next he won’t let us look at our phones or watch TV during dinner 😜

Jasper likes to sniff around some of the neighborhood shrubberies. Sometimes we see bunnies. Or sometimes we see kitties. All very exciting

After long sessions of play, the humans eventually call it quits. And then Jasper sulks. Yes, Jasper, your feelings are coming through loud and clear.

Mr. Jasper out being neighborly

Sometimes you just want to lay down in the grass and enjoy the moment.

Jasper looking rather austere or aristocratic or something. Lots of blooming bougainvillea right now with big bold color.

This is not an uncommon sight around our house. We were finishing up dinner and I looked over to see Jasper patiently waiting for the next phase of the evening (which is his after-dinner treat, then play, then tricks, then more play, then...)

My Vacation Cabin at Aussie Shores :)

Thanks Pris and Adam for this amazing vacation Feels at SL <3

Just an old girl enjoying her walk at the beach this weekend.

Jasper acts as the welcoming committee at the Hieroglyphic Canyon. I feel welcome, don't you?

Having herded all the cattle to the back 40, Jasper surveys his ranch, proud of the work he's done. It's the life of a working dog breed