Tag Archives: animals

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This bitch has got to go.

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Every Sunday night I kick the husband off the big tv in the living room and stay up late binge watching a bunch of recorded series. I don’t watch a lot of television, but I am addicted to a few HBO, Starz and Showtime programs that my other half hates.

So Monday is the one morning I sleep past 5:00am… and I relish my extra 2 hours. But this Monday morning? I was woken by a noise.

Scratching. And banging. Then more scratching.

I grumbled, I stumbled, I got out of bed and I found this….

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The red squirrel bitch from Hell. She had scaled the bush alongside the house and was scrambling up and down the screen, over and over. And then?

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She just hung there.

Taunting me.

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That bitch has got to go.

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She’s a clever little b*tch.

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Before the snow fell, our resident rodent pest from Hell. red squirrel was busy.

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Stealing seed from the birds and apples from the deer.

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Seeds were stuffed in every conceivable hole and our deck looked like a fruit salad exploded.

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But after the first snow storm?

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She was a happy camper.

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And remembered most of her stash spots.

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Im sure that fruit tasted good.

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She’s annoying.

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But clever.

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Because I had to.

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As I was cruising Amazon for a calendar the other day, I realized there was only one choice.

Oh, I could have picked one with barns. Lord knows we’ve spent enough time and money on ours.

Or I could have picked one with white tailed deer. But we have plenty of those in the backyard.

And I could have picked one about beer. But the man cave has one of those already.

So what did I choose?

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Yes.

Not 12 months of red squirrels… but a full 18.

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Seeing all the trouble she’s caused us in the past year?

It seemed highly appropriate.

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Photo Ark… The Finale.

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Yes, these are the last photos I’ll post from this truly wonderful book.

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Malay Tapir

But look at that face! I couldn’t help myself.

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Sulawesi Stripe-faced Fruit Bat

I’m so very glad Joel Sartore followed his dream.

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Victoria Crowned Pigeon

The wonderful and wacky diversity of nature should be celebrated as well as protected.

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Watusi Cow

So that’s where the Watusi dance craze came from…. who knew?

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Varied Capuchin

I think we’ve all been there.

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Spix’s Macaw

Sadly, this lovely bird no longer exists in the wild.

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Florida Panther

And this graceful cat is hanging on by a thread.

We share our world with some fabulous creatures… please respect them and their need for a small corner of it.

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The Photo Ark… Part 6.

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More fabulous photos…

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Black and Rufous Elephant Shrew.

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Of more fabulous creatures.

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Himalayan Moran.

And look how happy some of them are to have their picture taken.

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Northern Tamandua.

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No, this isn’t a Rorschach test, but it could be.

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Atlantic Sea Spider.

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I see my late Mother in Law there, but you probably won’t.

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Hispaniolan Hutia.

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Bet that Hutia could make short work of momma red squirrel. Anyone know where I can rent a few?

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Waxy Monkey Frog.

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Damn, I wish my legs were that long.

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Platypus.

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Platypuses are proof positive evolution has a sense of humor. And a slight drinking problem.

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Red Celestial Eye Goldfish.

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Imagine how effective my eye rolls would be with those peepers.

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Horned Screamer.

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That fellow’s horn required a two page centerfold.  Men? You should be so lucky.

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African Moon Moth.

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I am completely in love with this moth. He has attitude to spare….

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What fresh Christmas Hell is this…?

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Since the husband and I usually travel for Christmas, I haven’t done decorations for years. Wreaths in the windows, a few snowflake lights on the barn and a Charlie Brown tree on the table was as much enthusiasm as I could muster this season.

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And when you’ve been married as long as we have (37 years in a few weeks) presents aren’t a big deal either. We’re lucky enough to buy what we want, when we want (and he still doesn’t know my taste in jewelry) so we took a pass on that as well.

There is however one gift that keeps on giving.

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Yes, after a prolonged absence in which I continually prayed for her earthly demise…

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She was back on Christmas Eve. Looking for a way into the house.

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And taunting me…

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The little bitch.

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So if she comes down the chimney wearing a Santa hat today? I won’t be held responsible.

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No. It most definitely is not…

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The Photo Ark… Part Four.

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I love this book so much I have to keep sharing.

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Sulawesi Babirusas.

Okay, if you say so. I only know he’s delightfully weird and wonderful.

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Tasmanian Devils.

Looks like my in laws at Thanksgiving.

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Lemur Leaf Frogs.

Is that not the sweetest thing!

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Guianan Cock of the Rocks, female.

Birds…

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Guianan Cock of the Rocks, male.

The only time men are prettier.

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Tortoise Beetle.

Okay, I am completely smitten with this fellow and want to suggest our state use his likeness for directional road signs from now on.

Route 1?

This way…

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Stump Tailed Macaques.

Wow. Someone got up on the wrong side of the tree this morning.

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The Photo Ark Part Three.

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I hope you’re enjoying these photographs as much as I am.

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Albino North American Porcupine.

And while I’ll include the well known and cute…

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Giant Panda.

It’s the unusual….

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Whispered Auklet.

And odd I usually prefer.

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Silvery Marmoset.

Like this fellow.

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Devil’s Flower Mantis.

“Back away from the beetle and no one gets hurt.“

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Texas Blind Salamander.

Biodiversity is a wonderful thing.

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Four Toed Jerboa.

You know Mother Nature was 3 margaritas into a pitcher when she came up with the ‘dillo.

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Southern Three Banded Armadillo.

So many variations of the creatures you think you know.

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Common Yabby.

This way there be dragons…

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Ribboned Seadragon.

Heck, this guy is perpetually Bloody Mary ready…. he’s got celery on his head!

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The Photo Ark… Part Two.

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More amazing photographs from Joel Sartore.

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Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine.

I’m thoroughly enjoying this book.

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Budgett’s Frog.

I mean look at that happy little frog…. how could I not?

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Adult Mandrill.

Joel gives these animals a voice.

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Side Striped Palm Pit Viper.

And dignity in their uniqueness.

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Malay Tapir.

Some are a bit bizarre.

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Red Bellied Lemur.

Some are cute and cuddly.

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White Bellied Pangolin and baby.

Some are cute and scaly.

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Common Striped Possum.

Common? Not around here..

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Bobtail Squid.

And who knew squids could look so melancholy?

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East African Crowned Crane.

Stunning.

Every single one.

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