Today's Stick

Ollie dog chooses a fresh ash stick every day from the pile in the garden for our morning walk. Some of them are quite large and heavy but I let her get on with it as carrying the big ones is good exercise for her neck, shoulders and front legs. She still has a bad left back knee but we saw the vet recently and he is pleased with her progress and how she is walking and has advised that I cut her painkillers by half and keep letting her paddle in the lake every morning. 

I photographed the bird in extras in a blackthorn bush. I'm not sure what it is, possibly a female chaffinch? I was struck by the small sharp hook on its beak.