I wish I spoke "cat"

“Life isn’t always sunshine and butterflies.  

Sometimes you’ve just got to learn to smile through the pain.”  

~ anon.

This morning's sunrise

When all’s not well in my world and I’m not quite sure which way to turn I focus on the little things ... like butterflies.  They remind me that whilst life might not always be good, there’s always good out there ... I just need to look for it.

She found some antlers.

Hercules, one of the cats in the neighbourhood, walked me home from work yesterday.  He came running up the hill behind me, bell tinkling, his meows loudly instructing me to slow down. Obligatory cuddle over, we walked in contented harmony to his gate.  I wish I spoke ‘cat’ as Hercules had lots to say for himself.  He regularly escorts a variety of people up and down the road and I’m sure he was filling me in on whom he’d seen.  With another cuddle and a farewell meow he bade me good night.  He made me smile.  Who else can claim to have been escorted home from work by a cat!

.... and did her best to wear them!

As I walked down the driveway I looked up at the moon. It was directly above me in the clear night sky, it’s bumps and crevices so clearly visible.  Sunday 23rd June is a date to mark in my calendar.  According to the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium it’s a Perigee Full Moon ... ie, a SUPERmoon!

That means King Tides next week too!

This Sunday will be the closest the moon will be to earth until August next year.  I think that makes it a worthwhile subject for a few photographs .... if, of course, we have clear skies!  It’s set to rise at 5pm NZ time so here’s hoping the clouds play ball.  

Maybe I should send them a memo ...

Yep, low tide means I get to stalk my favourite friend

This morning’s ramble was a sunny one, quite a contrast to the past few mornings.  As the day’s progressed though heavy clouds have lumbered across the skies.  All that polar weather that’s forecast for South Island is sending it’s icy fingers our way.  

Light was still a bit low this morning .... roll on 21 June and let that sun start it's journey back!

Not that icy weather bothers the hound ... or Sam.

They're agreeing to disagree over a stick.

A lack of water DOES bother them though. I might like the low tide from a photography perspective but from the hound’s perspective, it stinks .... sometimes quite literally.

Fortunately, being a Tuesday, I’m my own boss so our time on the beach wasn’t bought to an early end.  The sunny morning bought out hounds in every shape and size ..... even Cosmo!

Cosmo being put in his place by Fergus

 It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a collection of hounds on the beach!  Labradors ... obviously ..... Retrievers, Westies, Poodles and their myriad off-shoots ... Spoodles, Labradoodles, Caboodles .... an Irish Setter, Schnausers and the usual array of Heinz 57 hounds.

Fergus standing his ground.

All loveable in their very own unique way.

One curmudgeonly rambler saw fit to point out that one of the many hounds on the beach had done a poop and she hoped said owner would retrieve it .... the poop, not the hound. 

She needs to learn to smile.

“Every moment I shape my destiny with a chisel - I am the carpenter of my own soul.”

~ Rumi

Lying patiently waiting for me to finish stalking the heron ... or for the heron to fly away!

The new range of Mounted Photos at the Browns Bay Market