Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sunday swim, bird chase and log retrieve

Here's my new swimming area.   It's a man-made water retention basin that was completed last summer.




The water is deep enough for swimming...



but has gentle slopes to get in and out easily.  



There are lots of birds out here - Canada geese, mallards, plovers - for me to chase.
I chase them over land....



 .... through water



 ... from far




... and getting closer.



When Della calls, I'm pretty good at getting over to her as quickly.... 

 ....as I can. 



 I find the best spot to make my crossing...



... and here I come!




After a good shake, I sit for a moment in the sun to catch my breath...



... then I'm off to retrieve something interesting over there.



Oh well, a not-so-interesting plastic bottle, but I'll bring it ashore anyway.




Now I see a real challenge - a big branch that must be retrieved.



It is very heavy, and I'm having difficulty swimming and pulling at the same time.  



I have to let go and swim into a better towing position.



I don't think I can do this...



I guess I have to give up....



 ... but I'm not feeling good about quitting.



I'm going to have to try again.  There is nothing too big for me to retrieve....



 ... I'm going to land this sucker if it's the last thing I do!



Della doesn't think I can do it, and she starts to walk away.



Ha!  I surprised HER when she looked back, didn't I?!



 I not only got that log to the shore, but I started to haul it up the bank.



It was REALLY heavy, and I had to pull as hard as I could to get it up the bank.



I pulled it far enough up so I wouldn't float off.   I think I'm done water retrieving for a while.



And now I'm off and running through the bushes looking for birds!



I think I know where one is.... am I pointing?


So that is my lovely Sunday walk.  
As Ma Doux says about a certain person, "Eat your heart out, ---- ----!"