More woodland dog walks

Took Tilly to one of the UK's ancient woodlands today, Wentwood Forest. It's not a new experience for us, but we don't walk there that often. Wentwood is an excellent place for dogs to go ramble though.

There are footpaths, bridleways and off-road trails to wander along and of course lots of things to sniff! Didn't see any deer today, but Tilly did chase off after a fox so the walk certainly wasn't wasted!

Woodland Walks

Autumn is a wonderful time for woodland walks if, like me, you enjoy the browns, golds and reds of this time of year.

I never tire of walking between the trees on carpets of leaves...

Especially when there are so many wonderful colours to enjoy.

Of course Tilly is always happy to visit our local wood because there is always something new to explore.

Left to her own devices she'll lead you this way and that sniffing for signs of rodents and foxes.

Just occasionally a bird call will stop her in her tracks...

Autumn is also the peak time for collecting fungi. Always be sure you know what you're picking though.

These wood blewits are safe to eat even if they have gone a little past their best.

Making use of that extra hour

So here in the UK we've departed from British Summer Time and returned Greenwich Mean Time, this means the clocks went back one hour at 02:00 today. For most people this is a godsend because they get an extra hour in bed, for me it's an additional nightmare since it means I have an extra hour of insomnia... oh well, more time to stooge the Internet then.

As it turns out it was a lovely morning here so after an early breakfast we hopped in the car and headed for the coast to give Tilly a bit of beach time.

Ogmore to Porthcawl panorama

We parked beside the River Ewenny at Ogmore-by-Sea and walked down to the beach. Bizarrely, for a dog that hates water, Tilly loves the beach. I think it's because the sand has so many different textures and there are always so many things to sniff and explore.

Me and My Shadow hit the beach

As usual Tilly's first reaction on the beach is to stand and stare, after all a dog's got to check out the opposition and see if there's any available talent in the offing.

Checking for other Doggy scent

Then the sniffing starts. First thing to check are other dog prints.

Can I go play now?

Then I get the big brown eyes and the unspoken question, it's obvious to me she wants to go and play and is just asking permission.

While Tilly is off doing her things I do a little exploring of my own, there is always something of interest to find on a beach. In shallow water beside some rocks I spot my first victim... he's a Rag Worm that has been uprooted, probably by some marauding seagull. He's damaged, but is still alive.

At around 15 inches he's quite a big fella with a pale belly and greenish upper side.

Having photographed him I returned him to a section of quiet, shallow water with a sandy bottom. A few minutes later he was busy burrowing into the sand. I doubt he'll survive, but at least I gave him a fighting chance.

I took a few other images while Tilly was playing and may or may not share them at some stage. Here's one of the River Ewenny flowing down to the sea at Ogmore, which I hope you'll enjoy.

River Ewenny at Ogmore

Tilly's garden playmates

Being an only dog, Tilly has to make her own fun when she's in the garden. This often includes barking at the neighbours, chasing those garden birds that have the temerity to encroach on her personal space and staring at the fish as they swim around their pond.

Tilly does have a couple of inanimate garden playmates, although she get's bored pretty quickly when they refuse to play chase. Here's one of them:

Happy Dragon

This one is Happy Dragon, I suspect you can work out why. Good job he's not real or I'm sure he'd be down off that wall making short work of his tormentor!

It's Tilly's sofa!

A little while back I invested in some rather chic Natuzzi Italian leather lounge furniture... well you have to have some comfort in your old age don't you? Should have realised of course that one of the sofas would be commandeered by Tilly for her chosen napping spot.

Sleeping Dog

Or the place where she just hides from the rain!

I just can't stand the rain...

The joys of dog ownership

Cream of tomato soup is a favourite lunch in this house...

...but if you want to finish your serving,  never leave your mug unattended!

High Chroma Levels

Tilly and I became the temporary focal point for a group of cattle while we were out walking this morning and since the cattle took such interest in us I decided to take a little interest in them too...

Who Will Watch the Watchers?

I only had my 'phone with me so my images are simple grabs from the handset's built-in camera. What I hadn't realised was I had inadvertently switched on the High Chroma function, which is something I haven't actually played with so the results are a little startling. The full frame shot is probably quite acceptable, although the green of the grass is a bit dense and the 'red' tinge to the beef's coat is a bit hard. However the zoomed group shot (below) I think is completely over the top and something I wouldn't be happy with.

So here's the thing... having realised my mistake I have been looking for a way to adjust the 'phone's settings to 'turn down' the chrominance and guess what? I can't find one!

Life Behind Bars

I'm forever surprised by the things I spot when I'm out walking Tilly, like this child's doll who had obviously been extremely naughty for instance:

Incarceration?

Me and my shadow

Walking Tilly and found it hard to resist capturing this image...

Mez follow ewe everwhere Grand Dad!

I'm not actually convinced Tilly would follow me everywhere if I didn't have pieces of doggy sausage in my pocket!

On 'Bunny Watch'

Sometimes a dog just has to remain alert while laying in the afternoon sunshine... after all, you never know when one of those sneaky runny babbits will pop its head out of its hole in the ground

Tilly on 'Bunny Watch'

Someone's been busy again!

A dog's got to do what a dog's got to do! lol

The Art of Squirrel Hunting

Stand very still and listen to the little shits playing in the trees...
then when they venture on to the ground...
run like feck and chase 'em!

Sleeping Dogs

Better let my sleeping dog lie
Just in case
She may open one eye
Stare at my face
Not like what she'll see
Get down from the sofa
And pee over me!