We don't usually put mosquito repellent on when we embark on one of our ravine walks, preferring to take other measures equally practical and useful at keeping those pests at bay. Like covering up with light, white clothing. For some peculiar reason our little toy poodle seems immune to their predations, they are never seen to bother him.  It might be a combination of his light apricot coloured coat, and the hormones he exudes.

In contrast, our beloved little black miniature poodle, a female, was constantly besieged by mosquitoes and any other blood-sucking irritants that are common to the season.  We acquired organic-based repellent that we used for her on the rare occasion, otherwise we mechanically whooshed them away from her, but they would surround and follow her nonetheless.

During yesterday's ravine walk they were out in full force.  To stop momentarily to examine something at closer range and discuss it, or come across an acquaintance and stop briefly to talk is to invite the noxious miseries to feast upon you.  We did stop on several occasions; both because we came across other trail walkers, but once because we happened to espie the elusive barred owl we've been looking to locate for so long, whose provocative calls keep us on the lookout.

There he was, sitting on a fairly low branch of a tree leaning over the main channel of the ravine's creek.  Unperturbed by our presence as usual, just seeming to enjoy himself, the sun glancing off him, the waters below whirling muddily from the heavy rain of the day before.  A picture of calm and sedate enjoyment with life.

 

We know his mate is nesting nearby, but have not yet been successful in locating the whereabouts of that nest, nor the fledgling located within it.  With luck, we may find an occasion when we see them all together, or one of the adults alongside their young one, as we did last year.