355 Years Ago a Tree Was Born

Today was a beautiful fall day.  Sunny with a crisp breeze absolutely perfect for a hike.  So we all loaded up in the EmmaMobile and went to a Nature Preserve for a nice hike.  We hiked the prairie field and it was hopping with dragonflies, butterflies and crickets.  Butterflies and Dragonflies always try to hitch a ride on my bum and one tried to hitch a ride on my neck.  Unfortunately we weren't quick enough to get its picture.  Mom kinda had her hands full with me and Bella and the camera was tucked away in her pocket.  Not sure how she was planning on using it that way.   I tried to pounce on some little flying hoppy thing that jumped out in front of me.  I have no idea what it was but it didn't stick around to play with me :(  Oh well, I would rather walk and sniff and see what surprises are waiting for us up ahead.

The leaves are just beginning to change and the colors are marvelous.  They will soon be vibrant shades of red, orange, brown and yellow.  It's our favorite time of year. 

After we stirred up the flying and hopping bugs we decided to trek through the woods.  Someone should have warned us it was a haunted woods.  We're trotting along, sniffing here and there having a wonderful time when off in the brush we hear a tremendous ruckus. Us doggies turn about to see what all the commotion is about and I thought I was going to have to pick up after Mom ;)  I saw this huge bird with a very long tail take off with a lot of noise out of a tree and take flight.  I had no idea birds that large can fly.  Where do you think the camera was this time?  Of course, in Mom's pocket.  I have no idea how she expects to get cool pictures for my blog when the camera isn't ready.  I did a search and it looks like our mystery haunted woods creature is a Pheasant.  We found this photo of one at National Geographic.

We wandered over to the other side of the woods and come across this tree that told  us it was over 350 years old.  Wow!  I wanna see 350 too.  I just don't wanna be rooted in one place I want to walk, explore, lay down for a nap, eat and do all kinds of fun things.

 

Crazy Pea thought she saw some kind of critter on the ground behind the tree and then Mom thought it would be cute to get a picture of her "treeing" since we think she may be some kind of hound mix.  We are thinking maybe Redbone Coon Hound. 

We meandered along over to the pond where we found a comfy spot to sit and get a drink of water.  No, not from the pond, Yuck!  Mom carries a backpack with a two sided water bowl for multiple drinkers and two large bottles of water.  We stop regularly for hydration even in the cooler seasons. 

That was a day in the life of Emma hope you enjoyed our adventure.

Emma