Friday, October 28, 2011

Trust between human and animals



Was wondering what it could be, till I discovered that it was a dog and a very friendly one.
And so was this one.


Now don’t compare him with Sir Henry (below) who was majestically walking around the flea market with his master.  (yes that is what the master told us “His name is Sir Henry”)


If you think only kids can have fun at the fountain . . . . .  . .


then think again

And this little one at the fountain must be thinking “what a show off ”



But this post is not about dogs. 
Its about nature and being one with it.
Saw these nature lovers sitting on the bench patiently waiting.


 First he had to bend down and hold his hand on the ground for the squirrel to come and inspect what was in his hand. Slowly an understanding was developed between them and the squirrel became bolder (or should I say trusting) 
The same goes for the bird who kept landing on the lady’s hand, but not as frequently as the squirrel.  Our friend (the squirrel) had a pattern of getting on the bench. He would come close to the right side of the bench and then hop and scamper to the left side and climb up.  I was observing from across the pathway and tried my best to capture it on video with a hand held camera. The results would have been much better if it was on a tripod.  (you can see it in the video at the end of the post)
I wish I had taken their e mail address so that they could have a look at the video.


The Cathedral at Amiens is great (will write about it later) but moving a little further away from it, there are these canals and then there are the smaller ones.


 A cruise down the canal is worth the visit. Without going into the history of the place, I should say that it’s a beautiful place well kept.  The boats that take you around is very very silent. I could figure it out only later that it was running on batteries. What a way to avoid noise and air pollution. The boats have a special shape so that it will not damage the banks. 


As you glide down the canal you get a feeling that you are going through some fairy land. The flowers and the vegetables that you see on the banks are a visual treat. They have been cultivated since the middle ages by the hortillons or market gardeners and covers about 300 acres.

While cruising a Heron flew past us and perched itself on a tree. (is it a Lava Heron? bird lovers please help) 
Our Navigator was nice enough to stop the boat so that we could have a good look. It was good that he stopped as it looked like the Heron was waiting for us to send down a bucket load of bird poop on us. (we just missed it by a few seconds)


To enjoy that visual treat, have a look at the video. You can see the birds alighting on the sunflower, the butterflies flitting around, the complete works of the flora and fauna.
Can watch it at full screen as it is in HD.   (as usual allow it to buffer first and then replay for uninterrupted viewing . . . . . . . and enjoy the music.)


45 comments:

Jeannette said...

My favorite photo from this group is the heron in the willow...

Cloudia said...

such wonderful shots!



Aloha from Honolulu

Comfort Spiral

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Randy said...

These are wonderful photos. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

anilkurup59 said...

Are you still on your roving self?

Indrani said...

I like the title and the captures. Great presentation.

Haddock said...

@ Jeannette
After seeing it at close quarters I realised that the heron is a real huge bird.
@ Cloudia
Thanks for that
@Randy
Most welcome here.
@anilkurup
Oh no I was back in India by end of August. Have a lot of photo stock and keep writing about it in bits and pieces.
@Indrani
Took some time to trim it up (especially the video)

Renu said...

enjoyed the pictures of dogs with the commentary:)

Karen S. said...

I really enjoyed all of your quotes with each photo, I am a huge animal fan, and birds and butterflies all the living things that make our life so much the better for having met them! excellent photos and video, and thanks for stopping by my blog as well! I am always happy to meet new bloggers....!

Unknown said...

Love the pictures. Such a lively presentation. Well done!

Crazy Life of a Writing Mom said...

I love this. That picture of the dog playing in the fountain--oh that made me smile :)

hamaarethoughts.com said...

beautiful shots!
love the dogs!
I usually see here in US very tiny little dogs in purses with their head popping out ...like a toy..
love that!

forgetmenot said...

What an interesting and varied post. Love the dog shots--they do come in all sizes, and they are "man's best friend". I will be anxious to see the photos of the Cathedral--beautiful structure. Mickie :)

Connie said...

Such great pictures, Joe! I liked all the dog shots--it always amazes me how many shapes and sizes and varieties they are. I liked seeing them feed the squirrel and bird by hand. It takes a lot of patience to do that. :-)

Ramakrishnan said...

Great pics and narrative.Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your comment

magiceye said...

such a lovely post!!

eileeninmd said...

I am an animal and dog lover so I love this wonderful post of critters! I especially love the dog at the fountain. And the video was cool, I would love to try to get a bird to land on my hand. Great post and photos, have a happy Sunday!

carol l mckenna said...

Excellent photos ~ Just like being there ~ Love nature and animals! ~ namaste, Carol ^_^

Bikramjit Singh Mann said...

beautiful pictures .. I am also craxy about pets .. sadly being in uk it takes a lot of time to have pets so other than fish I havenot any but in years to come i plan to have a couple of dogs for sure ...

Bikram's

SATYA LAKSHMI said...

nice nice nice blog.

Sarah Von Bargen said...

Sir Henry is probably the The Best Chihuahua name ever. :)

Phani said...

Joe...you make me feel just about totally blind !thanks for the guidance about the world that I was oblivious about ...I would spur you on to the innumerable roadside villages across the Indian highways too, someday I would like to grasp the earthy smell of the Indian soil from your blog....meanwhile I acknowledge that you had made me very sensitive and ridden me of my blindness

h said...

Lovely photos.
It's worth noting that a true nature lover would not disrupt wild animals by feeding them from their hands. In general, wild animals should not be trained to expect food from humans. It's not natural ;)

Sujatha Sathya said...

this was a nice read with lovely pics & all. quite befitting the post title

Here I Am Carrie said...

Thank you for your visit and comments on both my blog and video. I love your photos here with the dogs. How wonderful along the water way the sites to see. Sorry the video didn't work this time. I normally can't view any anyway as my connection is so slow. As I know from You Tube your video is over 9 mins. It would take almost over 15 minutes to load for me. But I love that I can come to your blog.

Manju @ Manjus Eating Delights said...

Lovely pics, u have gr8 talent. Thanks for visiting my log and leaving a lovely comment. See you again!

Regards,
Manju
Http://manjuseatingdelights.blogspot.com

Haddock said...

@ Renu
Good to know that you enjoyed.

@ Karen S
Thanks for the compliments.
This is specifically for the nature lovers (and I fail to understand why others should not love nature) I too like to meet new and meaningful bloggers.

@ Keats the sunshine
Thanks Keats :-)

@ Elisabeth Hirsch
Good to know that this could bring a smile on your face. There was one more picture where the dog was straining on the leash to take the plunge. If I add that will there be one more smile?

@ Harman
Oh yes, I did see one of those in the Thalys express, but before I could click, the lady moved on to the next compartment.

@ forgetmenot
Thanks Mickie. The Cathedral pictures coming up pretty soon.

@ Daisy
Thanks Daisy and good to know that you enjoyed.

@ R Ramakrishnan
Most welcome.

@ Magiceye
Thanks a lot

@ eileeninmd
Good to know that you enjoyed. There was one more picture where the dog was straining on the leash to take the plunge. And a special thanks for watching the video (all don’t have the patience)

@ ArtMusedogand Carol
Namaste Carol. Good to see that you enjoyed. You have voiced what many have commented in my posts “Just like being there” That is exactly my idea. To make others experience through my blogs. More on nature and animals coming up soon.

@ Bikramjit Singh Mann
Thanks Bikramjit. Yes I did see the procedures one has to follow to get a pet in Europe !

@ Latha Vijayakumar
Thanks thanks thanks Latha :

@ Sarah Von
You too agree? What a royal name.

@ Phani
Thanks for that Phani. Its all around us. We have to just experience it and feel it. (there I go philosophical)
I am just waiting to finish off the pending blogs on the Europe trip so that I can continue with ones on India.

@ iris
Thanks iris.
In a way I think I should agree with you. Now that has made me think. What about bird feeders?

@ Sujatha Sathya
Thanks Sujatha. Getting the right title is a challenge sometimes :-)

@ Here I am Carrie
Thanks Carrie. Good to know you enjoyed. Hope to see you again here.

@ Manju
Thanks Manju. I hope to fine those skills. (especially the video part)

Ramakrishnan said...

Hi, Was looking for your new post.Meanwhile please see my latest one.

All the best.

Roshni said...

Hi! Coming to visit after a long time! Lovely pics!! Hope you are doing great.

magda said...

Welcome and thanks for visiting and your kind comment!
Although the song says that the lion sleeps, the mikraa ANIMALS is clever and cute!
The photos and video gorgeous!
Already you're in my favorites blogs!
Many greetings from Greece

Travel With Lulu said...

Lovely photographs! Thank you for the armchair travel. Those boats are really interesting

Marco Luijken said...

Hello,
Wonderful all these street shots. Funny to see everyone's day life in these pictures.
Thanks for visiting my blog!!

Greetings, Marco

P.N. Subramanian said...

Beautiful captures. Its really a fairy land.

My Unfinished Life said...

i love dogs and these are such lovely moments captured!!!!

http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.com

Arati Harikumar said...

Paid a visist to ur blog after a very long time & such a treat it was!

Loved every bit of it! :)

Unknown said...

When I got to Sir Henry I had a laugh! :-)

Cezar and LĂ©ia said...

Wonderful pictures and so perfect subject! :)
LĂ©ia

ES said...

The squirrel is just adorable... There are some squirrels in our area, but they don't even come near us.

Haddock said...

@ R Ramakrishnan
Was putting together a video and hence the next blog is delayed.
@ Roshni
Good to see you back.
@ Magda
Thanks for adding me in your list of fav., and greetings to all at Greece. Just saw Madagascar yesterday once again and that reminded me of the mikraa animals.
@ Happy Homemaker UK
More armchair travel coming up.
@ Marco Alpha
Good to know you enjoyed.
@ P Subramanian
It was truly a fairy land.
@ Shooting star
There were more shots of dogs, but I did not want to flood the post.
@ Arati Harikumar
Yeah seeing you after a long time and good to know you enjoyed - see what you are missing :-)
@ JM
Sir Henry is real cute no ?
@ Cezar and Leia
More pictures coming up
@ ES
I think one needs a lot of patience to cajole them.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

This heart of mine has a soft spot for creatures of the canine sort and I just loved seeing your photos. The pup in the fountain and the brown dog happy to greet the travelers as they passed by in the boat made me smile.

The video is lovely ~ I like the music you chose to accompany it :)

A joy seeing your collection of people photos too.

I don't get by as often as I would like so I am becoming a follower.
Kindly, Lorraine

Haddock said...

@ LDH
I don't think its your first time here Lorraine, maybe you did pay a visit last year (and left your comment).
But good to see you back and that too as a follower :-)
Good to know that you enjoyed the video. Now YouTube has contacted me and said that I can generate revenue if I wish to.
The only catch is that the background score should be original and mine. That is a tall order (unless I opt for producing a silent movie)

Julie said...

Thanks for popping by my blog! I love this nature post and the video and great pics !!!
Julie

Swapna said...

What a lovely post! Reminded me of the film "Hachiko"! The fountain pic was so touching.

Neelam Kamdar Bhamani said...

You are such a great story teller, your pictures just come to life!! Btw, what place is this...it looks lovely!!

Haddock said...

@ Neelam
I know how drab the would be if it was only text (and vica versa too)
And as for the beautiful places you see, its from my collection of pictures that I clicked on my recent (July/Aug) trip to Europe.
Lots more to come :-)

TexWisGirl said...

loved the shots of the dogs! and nature is amazing!

thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment! i really appreciate it! happy day to you and your mango blanching wife! :)