Here we have chipmunks, deer, opossum, groundhogs, squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys,
moles, voles, several different birds, red-tailed hawk, skunks, raccoons, flying squirrels
(seldom seen), a gorgeous white hawk, and several kinds of non-poisonous snakes,
turtles, and a few bull frogs, and tree frogs, and red fox. The fox would just stand and
look at me. We could hear it barking at night.
All of which visit around our home and garden. One visit from a peacock, and does it
count that a cow and her calf paid a visit?
I don't have pictures, they are on an old camera that wasn't digital, would have to be
scanned, but I got stories.
Can't have tulips because the squirrels think that's their delicacy. They only eat the
center of the bulb. The moles constantly dig tunnels under the daylilies creating a
pocket of air. Almost lost a few, but found them in time. Finally had to spread a product
to kill their food source. Hated to have to do it, but that's how it goes sometimes.
The voles love lilies. Had to place the lily bulbs in pots.
The skunks are beautiful, long hair that drags the ground, with lots of white on black.
They look like they have just been to the groomer. I keep my distance though.
I have seen squirrels miss the limb they were aiming for and hit the ground, do a little
addled shake, and then take off running.
Squirrels also pick the very largest, nicest apple or peach, take one bite, and leave it on a limb in the crook to munch on another day. They don't seem to care for the scrappy ones.
Several years ago, I was tilling a patch of soil to plant beans, and tilled up a black
snake that was laying eggs, and still full of eggs. It died of course. Pitiful way to go,
but couldn't be helped.
When I had a large strawberry patch, robins stayed close by. When I gathered the
berries, the robins screeched at me, flying around as if to tell me the berries belonged
to them. This happened every time I went to the patch.
The raccoons, a pair, chased me into the house. Scared the bee geebers out of me.
It was late afternoon. Guess they are somewhat territorial, not realizing they were
invading mine. And they simply love the garden sweet corn. Will eat the whole
patch in nothing flat.
This past season, we had a baby rabbit that lived in the daylily beds, hiding no doubt
from the hawk and other predators. It became accustomed to me, was unafraid, and
I thoroughly enjoyed his company. He lasted most of the summer. I did get to see him
mature before suddenly one day he was gone. I talked to him a lot.
My worst scare was the red-tailed hawk. I was laying on a chaise lounge in the driveway
soaking up some sun, when the hawk swooped down trying to get me. First thought he
must mistake me for something else, but he turned and came at me again. That was
enough for me, into the house I went rather speedily too.
While mowing, I passed over a yellow jacket's nest in the ground, and boy did they
swarm, covered me from chest down. I looked like something out of a horror movie. I
quickly ran to the garage, sprayed myself with cold water; seemed to help
slow them down a bit as I only got 7 stings. All this while yanking off clothes they were
firmly attached to ASAP. Ran in the house, they followed, but were confused, flying around everywhere.
I would not be a bit surprised to see a big ole bear chasing me next into the house. They
are not near here yet, but there have been accounts of them extending beyond their usual boundaries in search for food.
I like wildlife, but prefer they keep their distance from me, and the above explains why.
