Aussie Style Camping
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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 often prowls the shrubberies in the neighborhood. He likes to see if he can find kitty cats. He really wants to meet them, but their posture when we do encounter a cat seems to indicate that they don't particularly want to meet him. We get the classic Halloween cat pose with arched back, tail up, bared teeth and a hiss. But Jasper is always kind, wanting only an inter-species encounter.
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.
This gorgeous dress from Mirage.NA is available at this months round of Shiny Shabby!
Dress: Mirage.NA @Shiny Shabby (Jan. 20)
Hair: Doux
Pose/Hat: IDK
Location: Aussie Shores
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?
Gotta love going for a walk in the great outdoors, even if it was a bit cool out. Kangaroos a plenty in Kaiserstuhl CP, although the Scarlet Robin was what I was attempting to capture
Betty Bunny was mysteriously flying through the air when Jasper snatched her in-flight and brought her safely back down to Earth. What a hero!
Jasper in our family room at the ready with Little Lambchop. Mom's up in the kitchen doing something or other and the play doesn't begin until both humans are engaged.
Jasper keeps a keen eye on his humans in the evenings. If they move, they might be ready to play. Right Edward the Elephant
Jasper can sometimes be a little underwhelmed with our playfulness. Betty Bunny seems to have the same attitude. Jasper will keep his eye on me just in case I decide not to be totally lame.
When patrolling the neighborhood a dog must remain vigilant. Jasper and I did a nice walk around the neighborhood this morning soon after sunrise. Be calm, we found nothing awry.
Meanwhile, across carpet land, Jasper and Betty Bunny conspire to engage the humans in play. Clever duo.
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)
Jasper is settling in nicely to the Ranch he acquired (see first comment). Happy, happy cowpoke. Now, time to go tend to the cattle. Mooo
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.
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
On Sunday we went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum. They open at 6AM starting in May so we took advantage of the cooler early morning to check out some desert blooms. There were lots of these purple flowers about and Jasper agreed to pose for a shot or two.
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
Jasper at the riparian preserve wondering why Mom took his leash off and told him to stay. Humans are so weird!
As the golden dawn light spilled through the trees, Jasper remained vigilant at his post. Watchful. Alert. Aware. (corny enough for you?)
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 😀
Taking on a rather serious expression, Jasper investigates rumors of lizards at Boyce Thompson Arboretum
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...)
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 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 😜