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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A few shots of Aspen trees along the trail in Great Basin NP, NV. #ForestFriday

Four pictures of Aspen trees. They have smooth white bark, and are sometimes mistaken for Birch trees. They sometimes develop contorted trunk forms because of snow and wind.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Sorry I misread that. Good luck to them, Im sure theyll have a great time, its one of the best hikes in the lower 48. Though if I lived in the Sierras I might not ever go anyplace else, you have a lifetime of great hikes to do there.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Awesone- you're up there right now? I never get phone service up there...

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Louie enjoying a refreshing dip in a mountain stream, yesterday on the Icicle Gorge trail. #dogsofbluesky

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

One more shot of Louie on the Icicle Gorge Loop trail yesterday, near Leavenworth WA. It was a beautiful day- the Vine Maples and Rocky Mountain Maples are just starting to turn. #dogsofbluesky #ForestFriday

Our black and white dog Louie stands in the trail, waiting patiently for us to catch up. The low-growing Maple trees all around him are turning nice shades of yellow, orange and red.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We did a nice hike yesterday on the Icicle Gorge Loop trail, one of the best 'easy' hikes in the region IMO. Here's Louie digging the big Ponderosa Pine and Fir trees to be seen there. #dogsofbluesky #ThickTrunkThursday

Our black and white dog Louie standing in the trail, waiting for us to catch up. He's standing between three large evergreen tree trunks, with a footbridge in the background, that crosses a rocky white-water creek. He hiked off-leash for most of the four-mile trail... I only have to leash him up when other dogs are around.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

63 pounds of furniture-wrecking Tasmanian Devil

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This. This is why we can't have nice things 🙄

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

We did a nice short hike in the hills yesterday- it's starting to look like fall up there. Louie's doing great off-leash, he just gets a bit triggered by all the chipmunks and squirrels chattering at him. #dogsofbluesky #ToT

Our black and white dog Louie standing in the trail and looking back at the camera. In the background are Fir and Larch trees under a blue sky.

Louie running up the trail through a meadow towards us. The huckleberry and serviceberry plants are starting to turn a nice yellow fall color.

Another shot of Louie coming in closer on the trail. His tongue is hanging out because he's a little hot.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It's squirrel season, and Lou's been on high alert lately. He also _almost_ caught a lizard yesterday which was very exciting, so now he's on reptile patrol too.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Here's my boy Louie, on guard in the yard, and handsome as always. Happy Friday everyone! #dogsofbluesky

Our black and white dog Louie standing handsomely outside and looking at the camera.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

OK then, if anyone needs me for anything today I'll be right here. #dogsofbluesky

Louie our black and white dog sprawled on his back across the armchair with his feet up in the air.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

It's raining out this AM and Louie's having a little trouble getting psyched #dogsofbluesky

Four shots of our black and white dog Louie lying on the armchair, yawning, stretching, and looking wistfully out the window.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

A few quick shots of our Quail family, glimpsed from the kitchen window. This handsome pair was herding at least 8 babies, most of them stayed hidden in the shrubbery. 🪶

Ma Quail with two chicks on the edge of the paved patio, with some low plants on one side. The babies are just scratching around for food.

Ma and Pa Quail close together, regrouping at the other side of the patio, next to some Boxwood shrubs. Three or four baby chicks are in the greenery, and a straggler chick is running in from the patio.

Pa Quail stands watch over his family at the patio edge. He's a good-looking grey bird with a black and white striped face and a long plume on his head.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

He is a handsome little guy. It's hard to get him to stand still like this... he's staring at the stick in my wife's hand, the best way to hold his attention.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Me: 'You look tired boy- don't you want to take a break?' Louie: 'Just throw the danged stick!' Well that's all for today- I gotta go do some really boring human stuff now... #dogsofbluesky #Pnw

Our black and white dog Louie standing on the edge of the ocean at Westport Beach. He's wet and bedraggled, and his ears are drooping a bit. He's tired, but doesn't want to stop playing yet.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

OK, a few more action shots of Louie in the surf at Westport WA. #dogsofbluesky #Pnw

More shots of our dog Louie swimming and running in the surf while fetching sticks at Westport beach, Washington.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

More stick fetching on the beach with Louie at Westport WA #dogsofbluesky #Pnw

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

There was a frisky brown mutt that played with him for a bit- they chased each other and ripped around in big circles for a while and had a lot of fun together- there's no better running surface than that wet sand. Most of the other dog owners we saw kept their distance though 🙁

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

We have to put Louie on leash when other dogs are nearby, and this is how he expresses his frustration. It's hard to explain to him that not all other dog-owners want their dogs to play with him. 18 months old and he still sounds like a little puppy 🙄 #dogsofbluesky

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Part of our morning routing is getting a good roll around on the floor #dogsofbluesky

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

More action shots of Louie in the surf. Westport WA #dogsofbluesky #Pnw

Four shots of our black and white sea dog Louie swimming and running as he fetches sticks thrown in the surf.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Here's the view from inside the condo. We found a choice rental on the ground floor facing the ocean, just a 2-minute walk to the beach. Westport WA #dogsofbluesky

Our black and white dog Louie is up on his back legs, and looking out the picture window at a deer that's looking back at him from just twenty feet away. In the background you can see a small patch of lawn and some dune grass, and a pocket view of the ocean several hundred yards away, under an overcast sky.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Action shots of Louie fetching sticks in the surf. He's a true sea dog and could do this all day. #dogsofbluesky #Pnw

Four shots of our black and white dog running and swimming while fetching sticks in the surf at Westport Beach in Washington state. The weather was nice and the water was a comfortable temperature.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Louie loved the ocean. Here he is resting briefly between stick throws. #dogsofbluesky

Louie our black and white mutt stands dripping wet on the sandy shore of the Pacific Ocean in Westport Washngton.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

An Osprey soars above the ocean under a perfectly clear blue sky. Westport WA 🪶

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

We swam in the ocean this morning and Louie fetched about 100 sticks in the surf. Now instead of resting he's on guard, vigilantly protecting us from whatever is lurking in the dunes (we saw a few deer there the other day). #dogsofbluesky

Louie our black and white dog standing on the patio of our ground floor rental, watching people and dogs walking by. A small lawn area and a grass-covered dune is inthe background.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Best wishes to you and your Ma... getting old sucks.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

He loves to fetch sticks in the ocean and accidentally swallow some salt water in the process. It upsets his guts every time, but it's a temporary thing that clears up quickly.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Yes Louie I promise we'll go swimming in the ocean today, but let me have my coffee first. This is the last day of our beach vacay... when we get home I'll post some swimming dog pics. Happy Sunday all 🫡 #dogsofbluesky

Louie our black and white dog lying on the carpeted floor with his feet curled underneath him, and his green squeaky ball nearby. He's waiting not so patiently for us to finish our breakfast so we can go to the beach.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Please Dad can we go swimming? Pretty please? #dogsofbluesky

Louie begging with his paw in the air. He knows the ocean is just outside and he really wants to go.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

We're beach-vacationing this week at Westport, WA & having a great time. It's been nice to get some fresh air & a break from the nasty wildfire smoke we've had back home. Louie loves swimming in the ocean, but the salt water upsets his stomach, sorry Lou we can't go in every day. 😢 #dogsofbluesky

Louie our black and white dog lying on a carpeted floor and looking up at me wistfully because we can't go swimming at the beach today, plus it's raining out.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

What do you mean yesterday was National Dog Day? I thought that was Every day! #dogsofbluesky

Our black and white Louie lying on a carpeted floor looking up at the camera, his mouth is open in a big yawn with his tongue curling out.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

There have been lots more Monarchs than ever in our yard this summer, it's always nice to see them.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

A few more beautiful ancient Bristlecone Pine snags in Great Basin NP NV. Bristlecone wood is very rot-resistant, and their dead trunks can stand for many hundreds of years. 2/2 #trees #GreatBasin #hiking

A gnarled dead Pine trunk against a partly cloudy blue sky.

A twisted and gnarly old dead Pine trunk, with live Pine trees in the background.

Another gnarled old dead Pine trunk on a slope of white quartzite rock. Other ancient Bristlecone Pine trees are scattered across the background.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Some beautiful ancient Bristlecone Pine snags in Great Basin NP NV. Bristlecone wood is very rot-resistant, and their dead trunks can stand for many hundreds of years. 1/2 #trees #GreatBasin #hiking

A gnarled old dead Pine snag, about 20 feet tall, next to the trail. This trunk has likely stood here for over 3000 years.

Another gnarled old dead Pine snag among several younger live Bristlecone Pine trees growing on a harsh slope of white quartzite rock.

Another gnarled ancient Pine trunk, about 20 feet tall. Other live and dead Bristlecone Pines are in the background.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Louie and Lucy on their play date today. They mostly chase each other around the yard until they get tired, then they rest in the shade and drink water, then repeat. (sorry no audio- too much background noise) #dogsofbluesky

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Louie had a play date with his best girl Lucy today. It was hot out so they spent a lot of time lying in the shade, drinking water and smooching. True puppy love 🐶💕 #dogsofbluesky

Louie our black and white mutt lying in the grass next to a bowl of water. Lucy is a sweet brown and black cattle-dog mix from the neighborhood, and she and Louie are touching snouts like they're kissing. Lucy's hoo-mom was getting married today, so we got to dog-sit her for a few hours.

Louie and Lucy lying close together in the grass, both with their tongues hanging out- they're hot and tired from chasing each other around the yard.

Another shot of Louie and Lucy lying happily together in the grass with their tongues hanging out.

One final shot of Louie and Lucy lying together in the grass and sharing a nice smooch.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

It's 100 degrees out today, and here's Louie hogging the AC vent. #dogsofbluesky

Louie our black and white dog laying on the tile floor in the kitchen. He's hot from playing outside and is right on top of the floor AC register, loving the cool air coming out.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Myster where did you go? We miss you here... 😢

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Louie napping & twitching today. We hope everyone's having a nice weekend 😎 #dogsofbluesky

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

We're just taking it easy today... here's Louie relaxing & staying cool in one of his favorite spots #dogsofbluesky

Our black and white dog lounging on the tile ledge in front of the fireplace.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Looking out over quartzite moraines at 11,000' near treeline on Wheeler Peak in Great Basin NP NV. Only three tree species grow here at this elevation, and they're easy to tell apart by their foliage alone: -Bristlecone Pine -Limber Pine -Engelmann Spruce #GreatBasin #trees #hiking #ForestFriday

Sparsely growing evergreen trees scattered over a vast slope of white rock under a clear blue sky.

Close up of a cluster of Bristlecone Pine needles.

Close up of a cluster of Limber Pine needles.

Close up of a cluster of Engelmann Spruce needles.

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Deep Kirk Nine @deepkirknine.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Ancient Bristlecone Pine portrait 9 (final) This tree still has one live branch. It was dated by coring to over 3200 years old. #GreatBasin #trees #hiking

A beautiful specimen of old gnarled Pine tree next to the hiking trail, with trees and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky. An informational sign is posted of front of the tree, and I'm standing next to the tree for scale.

A park service information sign describing the life cycle of a Bristlecone Pine. This particular tree was dated to between 3200 and 3300 years old.

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