Meeting the neighbors

There are a lot of neighbors to meet, especially if I include those at Jericho Park, which is close enough to feel like my back yard.  I was happy to discover these ducklings yesterday morning, near the marshy area, swimming under the watchful eyes of their mother. 

All in a row, just for dp.
I loved the colors in this scene, even though the mallard at the center of it refused to turn towards the camera.
He was watching me, though.  I only discovered that when I put the picture full screen, and saw his eye.  (Click on the picture if you want to see too.)
On the other side of our balcony, Vegas wasn't shy at all about introducing himself.
As I said...
Black Jack wasn't completely sure about having her personal space invaded.
She accepted that better once Bill arrived and she could survey her world from the vantage point of his arms.
I guess in a way, the mountains could be considered neighbors as well.  Not the best photo, but I took it at dusk, night before last, from Jericho Beach.  I've always thought this layered look in paintings seemed rather artificial.  It was a bit of a revelation to see that same look in the photo.

This was taken moments later.  Jericho sailing club, with the downtown skyline behind, all with a familiar sort of neighborhood feeling.

It is now Sunday around noon, and Bill has just arrived.  We watched Paul, his nephew-in-law, perform with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra last night.  I loved so many of the works, but one of my favorites was a piece for two violins and continuo.  I think it was by Biber.  Paul never ceases to amaze me.  Talented, humorous, unbelievably warm and friendly, and a joy to know.   

I feel ridiculously fortunate.  Right now, Bill is assembling my TV stand, and then we're off for a day of shopping for apartment odds and ends, sipping lattes, and walking Black Jack.  Black Jack has had a very entertaining morning, lying in her luxurious blue bed, surveying the action in the courtyard, and meeting a few more neighbors.  So far, we have met Chicken, a white Samoyed, Pollo and Castor, the two very sweet Catahoulas next door, Phillip, a 12-yr-old poodle, rescued a year ago in Toronto, and lucky enough to have found a young owner who wouldn't for a minute consider leaving him behind when she moved to Vancouver, Harvey, a 14-yr-old Bassett Hound, and Mary Lou, an older lab/pit mix rescued a year ago when she was found wandering in Surrey, lost and pregnant.  Good neighbors.  I 

know that by their animals' stories.  All is well with my world.