Scarlet Ibis. Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Scotland Neck, NC. June 2, 2013.

Bird (species unknown as of yet!). Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Scotland Neck, NC. June 2, 2013.

Peacock. Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Scotland Neck, NC. June 2, 2013.

Fergus, my lurcher (I call him the trophy mutt). Lurchers are produced by breeding sighthounds with some other kind of dog (often terriers and collies). One theory is that they originated in the UK and Ireland during the era when laws prohibited the common folk from owning sighthounds (although it's difficult to document such laws). Fergus is a cross between a greyhound and Scottish Deerhound--also known as a long dog, which is the product of two sighthounds. Mostly, he's just full of himself. Below, he and his half sister Maeve (a Scottish Deerhound) help out after a tree has come down in a storm. Sadly, Maeve is no longer with us--she lived only 4 years.

Tupelo, on the left (may her sweet soul rest in peace), was a lovely yellow who knows what kind of dog. She suffered greatly through Fergus's hell-raising puppyhood--we blame him for her torn ACL--but he did ultimately learn a few manners from her.

Tom and tiny Fergus, wearing the same expression on their faces.

Gulliver, our long-legged bird dog, makes himself at home in Kilcock. Fall 2013.

Fergus meets cows for the first time. Kilcock, Fall 2013.