Photography, photos you took, photos you are in, photos you like, the lot!

[Icarus]

Hmmm !  My back yard had a good layer of grass before the hurricane. It should have recovered from all the rain and wind but it did not. My back yard is in sad condition now. Very little grass and and dotted with small weeds.

My front yard is also in pretty sad condition. I will have to have the whole area stripped with a machine called a sod cutter. Then new sod, with hopefully healthy grass, would be laid in place. BUT.....the cost for replacing the sod with good grass is enough to choke my budget a bit farther than I am willing to endure. Total cost something in the neighborhood of $10,000.  Once installed, all that grass would require a lot of irrigation. The water is not free and it is becoming more and more a precious commodity.

If the damned grass is what the birds need, then I may not buy them anymore sunflower seeds or other bird comestibles. I do have a red headed woodpecker show up from time to time. He used to enjoy the suet blocks that I provided for him and his mate.

[Tank]

Have you considered not using grass for your front garden cover?

[Icarus]

Yes I have. some of our states, like Arizona,encourage homeowners to use a xeriscape concept.  That is when plants and ground cover need almost no water and very little maintenance. Not Grass !   That works well in places like Arizona. Here in Florida we have adequate water supply.....as long as we do not increase our population beyond reason.

In my case I live on the corner of a cul de sac. I feel some responsibility toward my five neighbors to maintain my own property in a satisfactory manner. Property values are part of the deal here.

I have entertained the notion of using gravel or other mineral like ground cover. Cheap, needs no water, nor mowing, but it does absorb and then reflect heat. Cactus, and other types of ground cover is inconsistent with the rest of the decor in cul de sac neighbors and those others near by. I am not forced to "go with the flow" but I do have a sense of neighborly responsibility.

[Tank]

Given your age why not suggest to your neighbours that they chip in a bit each to help you maintain the entrance to their cul de sac?

[Dark Lightning]

Yes I have. some of our states, like Arizona,encourage homeowners to use a xeriscape concept.  That is when plants and ground cover need almost no water and very little maintenance. Not Grass !   That works well in places like Arizona. Here in Florida we have adequate water supply.....as long as we do not increase our population beyond reason.

In my case I live on the corner of a cul de sac. I feel some responsibility toward my five neighbors to maintain my own property in a satisfactory manner. Property values are part of the deal here.

I have entertained the notion of using gravel or other mineral like ground cover. Cheap, needs no water, nor mowing, but it does absorb and then reflect heat. Cactus, and other types of ground cover is inconsistent with the rest of the decor in cul de sac neighbors and those others near by. I am not forced to "go with the flow" but I do have a sense of neighborly responsibility.

During the last drought here in California, we were "asked" to reduce our water usage 20%, so we went with a xeriscape. We planted a desert willow, which is much bigger than the nursery bragged about (not complaining) and a manzanita, which my wife has always wanted. I put up a CCTV system after someone "trimmed" the manzanita, which, besides from just being rude, is illegal in the state of California. People make crafts from the branches, and the poor things are being pillaged for that all over the state. The parkway belongs to the city, but we're supposed to maintain it. We put down gravel, but some bimbo up the street was walking through it, scattering it everywhere. There is a sidewalk, so no need to walk over the gravel and kick it around. Added flagstone and that reduced it, but not enough. Then we got rocks to put on top of the remaining gravel parts. That stopped the strolling through that parkway! 

Question for you, Icarus- do you live in hurricane country? I can imagine that the gravel would get airborne in a bad way.

[Dark Lightning]

Doggies. We got them both from a volunteer shelter. Spayed and shots as appropriate. Ginger (tan and white, 1-1/2 YO) stayed in her kennel except for food and bathroom breaks for a few weeks. She was dumped at the pound in a sack with 4 other dogs (probably siblings) and gave birth to 4 puppies a couple of hours after the workers came to work and found the sack.    I still can't pet her; she's too afraid, even after a couple of months. Traumatized by some clodhopper of a man, obviously. She's up to where if I offer my hand, she'll lick it, that's all. Pepper (black and white, 2-1/2 MO) is a regular puppy, but she's picking up the vibes from Ginger and getting skittish around us guys. She was just fine in my lap at the adoption place. Pepper really does have eyes; that's just an artifact of my shit photographer skills and bad lighting. I hope Ginger comes around; we'll just have to give her time. Both are Chihuahuas.

[Icarus]

DL,To be sure I live in Hurricane country, It is Florida after all. You are correct that 120 mph winds could change gravel into projectiles.

You are being noble to adopt pound puppies. I am a dog man from way back and I respect good people almost as much as I respect dogs. I was a dog obedience trainer for several years so I have worked with many different breeds. According to what I read, Chihuahuas are currently one of the more popular varieties. They can be very good at obedience and domestic disciplines.

My preferences for canines run to the larger breeds. My last one was my beloved Bernese Mountain Dog.  I do not have a dog now. I would love to share my house and my loyalty with one, but I fear that I may not live as long as my best friend might live.   

[hermes2015]

These two are so cute that I took the liberty of trying to bring out the eye details of the left one. Hope you don't mind!

[Dark Lightning]

Thanks! My photo skills stink. It's my wife who loves the little dogs. We had a medium-sized dog for several years, also a rescue. Part Cavalier spaniel and who knows what else. Had these long gangly legs. Loved anyone not wearing a uniform, scrubs in particular. We had her put down a couple months ago due to liver cancer.

[Tank]

Doggies. We got them both from a volunteer shelter. Spayed and shots as appropriate. Ginger (tan and white, 1-1/2 YO) stayed in her kennel except for food and bathroom breaks for a few weeks. She was dumped at the pound in a sack with 4 other dogs (probably siblings) and gave birth to 4 puppies a couple of hours after the workers came to work and found the sack.    I still can't pet her; she's too afraid, even after a couple of months. Traumatized by some clodhopper of a man, obviously. She's up to where if I offer my hand, she'll lick it, that's all. Pepper (black and white, 2-1/2 MO) is a regular puppy, but she's picking up the vibes from Ginger and getting skittish around us guys. She was just fine in my lap at the adoption place. Pepper really does have eyes; that's just an artifact of my shit photographer skills and bad lighting. I hope Ginger comes around; we'll just have to give her time. Both are Chihuahuas.

Now I want another furry friend! Well done DL well done indeed!

[Dark Lightning]

Doggies. We got them both from a volunteer shelter. Spayed and shots as appropriate. Ginger (tan and white, 1-1/2 YO) stayed in her kennel except for food and bathroom breaks for a few weeks. She was dumped at the pound in a sack with 4 other dogs (probably siblings) and gave birth to 4 puppies a couple of hours after the workers came to work and found the sack.    I still can't pet her; she's too afraid, even after a couple of months. Traumatized by some clodhopper of a man, obviously. She's up to where if I offer my hand, she'll lick it, that's all. Pepper (black and white, 2-1/2 MO) is a regular puppy, but she's picking up the vibes from Ginger and getting skittish around us guys. She was just fine in my lap at the adoption place. Pepper really does have eyes; that's just an artifact of my shit photographer skills and bad lighting. I hope Ginger comes around; we'll just have to give her time. Both are Chihuahuas.

Now I want another furry friend! Well done DL well done indeed!

I'll pass the gratz on to the wife. She was the prime motivator.

[Recusant]

Cool canines. I'd suggest making a point of spending some one on one time (obedience, or just walks and hands-on, like giving a brush) with the youngster Pepper away from Ginger, to try to counteract the stand-offish thing from Ginger. In fact over the long run if that socialization proves effective, Pepper might help Ginger become more relaxed by providing a good example. Just a thought.

[Tank]

Seconded.

[Dark Lightning]

It's funny. If Ginger is outside or even in the house, but they can't see each other, I can pick Pepper up and pet her. It'll all work out. In fact, I just went and picked Pepper up, right in front of the other dog. She didn't get upset, seh came to me instead. Licked my hand but wouldn't let me pet her. We'll get there.

[Icarus]

Here are some Border Collies doing what they do.......https://imgur.com/gallery/well-that-was-pretty-neat-6satc2U