Wildlife adventures

Last night we went for a family walk after dinner, complete with Cassie, who had been cooped up inside pretty much all day (Cassie is my dog-in-law--Alex's parents' sweet-tempered twelve year old Shiba Inu/American Eskimo mix, who enjoys napping and more napping when she is not fighting off cougars... seriously).

Michael made sure we saw each plane that flew overhead (one of his current favorite things).  We also saw the following exciting Colorado wildlife (photos courtesy of the internet, as I did not foresee the need for my camera).

In addition to the usual magpies, robins, and red-winged blackbirds, we ran across a Spotted Towhee--who didn't look quite as grumpy as the one pictured below.

Photo credit:
http://sdakotabirds.com/species_photos/photos/spotted_towhee_8.jpg

 We saw several rabbits, much to Cassie's consternation as she was not allowed to run off to play with them.


Photo credit:
http://dnr.state.co.us/ImageDBImages/20040Web.jpg


And nearing the end of our walk we saw two very sleek, well-fed looking coyotes (much more so than the one below).  Cassie said she could take them, but we decided to go home via the park instead of the part of the trail down which the coyotes had headed.

Photo credit:
http://shrewsbury.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/coyote.jpg

It was a much-needed outting after a long day.  The morning consisted of a cycle: me sitting down at my computer, trying to work up motivation to work, realizing Michael was strangely silent, discovering Michael had gotten into something he wasn't supposed to, and cleaning up the mess.  Thankfully he took a good nap, and then wonder of wonders and miracle of miracles--he slept from 9pm-7am without a peep!!!  Thank you, Lord :)