The Spring Bloom of the "Labradorius kyrafernicus"

Hope you all had a chance to enjoy this weekend!  :)

In Maryland, it was perfect spring day to spend outdoors.
So after kayaking at DC on Saturday, I went k9yaking with the Kyramonster on Sunday. :)

Only rather than play fetch with Kyra, as promised;
I got distracted, ... and took some photos. :|

There were a lot of this variety of “Mountain Laurels” blooming all along the trails and banks, ...

Kyra quickly got bored and jealous,.. then started barking for my attention.

So she took off when I wasn't looking, ....

I pursued, but soon found her, ... mimicking a rare spring flower.

... Here's a rare variety of the Labradorius kyrafernicus:

Fyi: Some science:

'Mountain Laurels' grow up along rocky cliffs

of the eastern US and bloom during May-June only. :)

Apparently it has little phylogenic relationship to the Rhododendrons, as I had thought.

While the leaves and bush look similar,

Mountain Laurels are more closely related to the Family of blueberry bushes.

Only it's very toxic.

In contrast, the Labradorius kyrafernicus is believed to be closely
related to the Venus Flytrap, only it deploys a deceptively
attractive, rapid-fire tongue-like slurping motion

to bait and stun its prey.

While highly carniverous, it apparently prefers slow-roasted
pig ears. :b

Kyra's - Annual Humane Society IWorld Spay Day Photo Contest 2012

Kyra's entered the 

2012 The Humane Society International's World Spay Day Pet Photo Contest! :) 

Kyra 'begs' for our VOTE & SUPPORT!  

As a rescue herselft, she's proof that it'll make a difference !! :)

"Kyra"

Kyra - Sniffing around for WiLd MuShRoOmS!

For the past 2 weekends,  I went hiking, while Kyra went k9'yaking at favorite watering hole at Black Hills Regional Park, Maryland (psst: especially since she needed a bath). ;)

There were a few slippery spots along the trails that sloped right into Little Seneca Lake.  And with the heavy rains from tropical storms Irene and Lee that flooded into our region, as well as high humidity and dampness during the course of each day, we decided to go sniffing around for colorful mushrooms.  

Kyra's no expert, but we found a few that mushroomed into interesting colors, textures, shapes and sizes.

Here are a few fresh pics that were taken 
"litter"ally at ground level:

Some yellow-orange ones:

Some strange purple'ish ones:

Some wildly flared ones:

Some pancaked ones:

Some tall, some short ones:

There were a lot more ...

(click image for slideshow) 

We have no clue what most of these are,...

some could be edible, ....

some could be poisonous. 

For Kyra and I, it was a nice day for a Sunday hike 

We could've hunted all day for more wild mushrooms. :)

Only she and her nose had enough, ...

 

 

and soon went k9'yaking again. :)

Master Kyra teaches a Golden the Fine Art of Retrieving

Last Sunday was Doggy Dip Day at our community pool - the official end of our summer season.

But to Kyra, it was her

4th Annual "Go CraZy, JumP RigHT In & Show'Em How it's DoNe Day!"

Over these past 4-1/2 years, not only how I've witnessed how great a swimmer that Kyra's become,
but also how masterful that she's become in applying the Golden rule of lab retrieving!

Rule: Always Return the baton to your owner! 

This year, 15 of Kyra's local K9 pooled around together
during the closing hour of our community pool.

However, only a handful dared to get wet.
(The other k9s mostly went into a panic state went 'forced in' by their owners. )





But for Kyra and a young energetic 1yo Golden Retriever,
it was a lesson between the Master Retriever (Kyra) vs this young apprentice,
as the Golden raced to take Kyra's orange baton.




As the only tool available, the Golden's youthful energy outpawed Kyra
(...although the owner and a few kids would throw in closer to the young Golden).

But in the end, Kyra knew that it's not when you fetch it, ...
but how you retrieve it to your loving owner! ehm,. that's me

So while the Golden triumphantly snatched Kyra's baton in the water,...
Kyra patiently and stealthily tracked behind her. 

As a 1st Degree Master Retriever,
Kyra executed her most clever tactical strategy
to retrieve our orange baton back! 



 
From years of training (28 in people years),
Master Kyra knew that patience and opportunity
would always prevail!
 

 

Yep, ... wait for the "{{{{((Twist & ShaKe)))}}}}"
It worked everytime! 
... at least 3X by my count.

The young'uns only watched and chased in total bewilderment! 

 

- Master Kyra on the Golden rule 

The Kyrasaurus strikes DC causing major boater traffic jams on the Pawtomac!

Washington DC (K9 News Network) - DC Water Police Patrol boats are actively conducting its largest search for the elusive Kyrasaurus, who was last seen retrieving the last traffic river buoy that resulted in the first major backup and traffic boatjam  in DC's recorded history on the Pawtomac.

While no serious injuries were reported and damage was considered minor, angered boaters and paddlers began an immediate hunt for the elusive kyrasaurus monster.  Strategies included baiting the kyrasaurus with double-crested cormorrants or catfish.

Water buoys provide important guidance and control to boaters and paddlers, throughout the Pawtomac River waterway.  Police noted that while kyrasauruses have never attacked people, they can potentially lick your face off. Therefor, if you see the kyrasuarus, please do not attempt to try and capture yourself, but call authorities immediately.  Rewards are also offered to anyone who finds all the buoys, which is believed to by buried somewhere on Roosevelt Island.

Kyra gets Max'd out while 'Fetching'

 






























Labaholics!  Beware!

When it comes to fetching, Kyra exudes lots confidence, especially at her home turf.

Only, she learned that one must never challenge a little young terrier to a game of 'fetch'.  Today, a little dude, "Max" (seen below), deceived her with his youthful innocence and diminutive stature. Sure, Kyra loves a sure thing! But, not only was Max as agile as a Kung Fu Master; but with a tennis ball, he can handle it like Andre Agassi (note:  ... when he had hair) ;)

Looks could be deceiving, especially with Max, ...whose true character became apparent with his expressive nature.


ALBUM - Kyra gets Max’d out (May2011) 

150th Civil War Anniversary - Kyra enlists with US Union Soldiers, as a Sentry

Hope some of you Civil War history buffs/ancestors will be able to attend the numerous events that will be featured at the National Park Battlefields during the next 3-4 years!

This year marks the beginning of the 150th Anniversary of the US Civil War era - perhaps the darkest and deadliest period in our nation's history. During the next 2-3 years, National Park Service (NPS) and the Civil War Trust will mark this historical period by sponsoring/hosting additional special events that include living histories, tours, exhibits and reenactments that highlight all the major battles and American period life between the Confederacy (South) and Union (North). For example, I was told that this year highlights include the first major battle at Manassas in VA; then next year (May 2012), will feature the Battle of Antietam (May); and in 2-3 years will be Battle of Gettysburg (July). Other reenactments will include battles at Missouri, Georgia, etc, as well.

 This weekend at the C&O Canal (Maryland), several volunteers reenacted daily life among Union Soldiers who had encamped and stood guard over this waterway. They each eagerly shared their knowledge of daily life, as well as the important historical events that had occurred by that time.

I hope to be able to attend many of the larger events that are especially close to MD/DC/VA area, ... hopefully with Kyra.  Above is one of the volunteers who posed for a few shot; then afterwards, ... received a BIG LICK from Kyra or better known as her "Wet Badge of Gratitude" 

 

More Photos - Slideshow here