Tag Archives: Dogs

Gretchen, her sycamore, and the dogs 2026-08-06

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Gretchen’s favorite tree.

[Gretchen, Sycamore, Sky, Blondie, River, Honeybun]
Gretchen, Sycamore, Sky, Blondie, River, Honeybun

We transplanted that tree when it was knee-high to Gretchen.

Thanks to Ben Fields for clearing the old road so we can get there more easily.

[Gretchen's Sycamore]
Gretchen’s Sycamore

-jsq

Snake of the week 2026-08-07

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I was watching the dogs to my left.

Then I turned to my right, and about five feet away….

[Straight snake]
Straight snake

Not all that big, 3 or 4 feet, but a well fed Crotalus horridus, timber rattlesnake. Even with the strip down the center back like a canebrake rattlesnake.

I like ’em. They eat mice and rats, and I’m allergic to those.

-jsq

PS: Have I mentioned my snake-handling club?

Every deadfall rootball is a dog digging opportunity 2026-07-12

One of the few bright points after Hurricane Helene and all the trees it blew down is that every rootball is a dog digging opportunity.

[Movie: Sky emerges; Blondie declines to go in (20M)]
Movie: Sky emerges; Blondie declines to go in (20M)

Sky went all the way under.

In this video she comes back out and shakes off dust.

Blondie declines to go in.

Here’s the video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/875264315273243/

https://youtu.be/LSz3DcxtLQM Continue reading →

River emerging from the grapes 2026-06-11

Like Venus emerging from sea foam….

[River emerging from the grapes]
River emerging from the grapes

River Dog emerging from the grapes.

These native muscadine vines, Vitis rotundifolia, are growing on what we call wood henge, which is wires along wood posts.

-jsq

Oak deadfall on water line 2026-06-11

Me and a certain relative spent some time chainsawing a clear path here a few months ago.

[Blondie and the water line deadfall]
Blondie and the water line deadfall

Then this big oak, weakened by Hurricane Helene and drought, fell right across the buried water line we were reopening.

Blondie Dog for scale.

-jsq

Digging potatoes 2026-06-03

Sky was very helpful guarding the potatoes.

[Sky helping dig taters]
Sky helping dig taters

We do have some for sale, at $1 per pound.

See Gretchen’s facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/gretchen.quarterman/posts/pfbid0YxRFfETPp3QPbAmgX2zsVA9HR8iwXo9Ec33R1ZoPjHELAQgWrKE95A24JJzfSs2Zl Continue reading →

Timber Rattler 2026-05-19

Snake of the week.

[Canebrake Rattlesnake]
Canebrake Rattlesnake

This Crotalus horridus was minding its own business, but it was in a woods path I was cruising with the golf cart.

For once, all four dogs listened and left it alone.

So they’re fine, and the snake eventually crawled off into the undergrowth.

-jsq

Heron in cypress in pond 2026-04-26

Happened to see a heron land in a cypress tree.

[Movie: Heron landing (52M)]
Movie: Heron landing (52M)

Not the usual heron tree; one to the east.

I’m pretty sure it’s a Great Blue Heron. Those and anhingas are all that usually nest in the middle of the pond.

I was assisted by Blondie (mysteriously not filthy) and Honeybun (not visible).

Here is some video:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1965142474124988/

https://youtu.be/TLRKt6If5Qs Continue reading →