Single-lane restrictions

A well-packed trail made for somewhat easier going earlier in February.

However, it meant most of my gang was single-file trekking. Any travel off the beaten path, was difficult. Since the goats couldn't or wouldn't get off the trail, they ended up being major traffic stoppers.

Kyle and Kennedy insist on trying to be ahead of the herd, but they also stop and block the path of travel. They would butt anyone who tried to pass them.

Clem was the only one who was interested in off roading. Sadie and Sherman were often stuck behind or between the goats unable to pass. The only available passing zone for the dogs was the frozen pond where they could get around the goats.

The dogs' weren't the only ones with issues with the goat imposed travel restrictions.

Due to an appointment, my husband was tasked with taking the gang for their daily walk.

I received an earful when I arrived home about how the goats are jerks and how he had to use a stick to keep them at bay.

He was later searching for electric cattle prods on Amazon in hopes of giving Kyle and Kennedy an attitude adjustment.

Meanwhile as the neighbor's pond served as one of the only ways to get around the goats, the dogs turned it into a battle arena. It was kind of like a hockey game without the sticks and pucks.

Meanwhile, our trail also provided a pathway from some wild critters as well.

​While a few deer used our path, the tracks of coyote, fox and turkey could be seen walking on top of the snow.

The deer, like us, were stuck trying to traverse through the cold crusty layers.

​There were bare patches in the woods were the deer were trying to dig up some food.

Of course these fight scenes provided for some interesting action shots.

I posted a series of doggy battle shots on Facebook and netted some "likes" and "lols."

One shot in particular(below) seemed to get more interest than other.

​I hadn't really paid attention to the whole photo and was just focusing on Sadie's expression. After several comments, I looked closer to see Clem's snout firmly gripped in Sadie's jaws.

That must have been the yelp I heard before I stepped in and refereed.

On one weekend between our morning walk and our afternoon walk, turkey tracks appeared. They seemed to be everywhere.

Sure enough the wild fowl were spotted ahead crossing our path, but they didn't stick around for a good photo opportunity.

A check of the trail cameras yielded a whole flock of turkeys gathering on the neighbor's pond.

Nonetheless, I had to go through hundreds of photos to even view the turkey pictures.

There must have been a few windy days last week. There were more than 200 frames of the "dancing twig" or rather a tree branch I've been meaning to move out of the camera's range of focus.

Meanwhile as temperatures warmed, the single-lane restrictions could soon be lifted. 

Walking on a melting path was somewhat almost like a dance. The steps went something like

this "step, step, slide, and ankle turn." Soon the dogs' battle arena and shortcut will be off limits as the pond ice thins.

That's just the nature of things 'round here. 





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