.
We have a few nice bucks visiting this fall.
.
.
Sometimes with a companion skunk.
.
.
As long as stinky doesn’t get too close the buck doesn’t seem to mind.
.
.
It’s hunting season so I’m always worried about these guys, even though our property and our neighbors is posted.
.
.
A deer’s home range is usually one square mile and while our neighbor’s properties on both sides are 4 times bigger than ours… that still leaves us about 600 acres short of a safe from bullets zone.
😥
.
.
We have anywhere from two to six raccoons show up nightly now.
.
.
I think this is the same family that discovered our buffet when they were babies.
.
.
We’ve watched them grow up…
.
.
And, out.
.
.
As they are a wee bit rotund these days.
.
.
❤️
.
.
The skunks beat the fox.
Now the raccoons are beating the skunks.
.
.
It’s first come first serve at River’s critter buffet.
.
.
Though the deer are lucky… as no one else wants their grain.
.
.
Three deer and three raccoons.
.
.
All are welcome.
.
.
But I really enjoy watching these little devils tussle and push each other out of the way for the best spots.
.
.
❤️
.
.
But I have to admit after seeing this image… I kind of do.
.
.
Though I doubt His Lordship would be pleased.
.
.
Well damn.
Now I want a T Rex in front of the man cave as well.
.
.
A pair of skunks and a pair of raccoons.
.
.
Double trouble on both sides.
😊
.
.
I doubt this comes as a surprise to anyone.
.
.
Last fair post, I promise.
As we were winding down our day in Fryeburg, my husband took a test drive.
.
.
On a potato planter.
He spent a good amount of time in the antique tool shed, and as usual entered into a half hour conversation.
.
.
Topic?
Identification of that weird contraption in the foreground. They could only get as far as a tying machine, for what is still a mystery.
.
.
A 1940’s television? That’s seriously early technology.
.
.
Next stop was the sugar house where they were actively boiling down sap for maple syrup.
.
.
My husband used to do this on the farm where he grew up so naturally that was another half hour conversation with the sugarer.
.
.
Syrup is a lot of work.
.
.
We stopped in the 4 H building and enjoyed the displays by local kids.
.
.
Raising livestock for market is a popular project in country schools and the students get to name their animals.
.
.
I admit I snorted over Magic Mike.
.
.
Our last stop was the swine barn.
.
.
And there were lots of baby piggies.
.
.
They’re so sweet.
.
.
Did you know pigs are very intelligent, loving and make good pets?
.
.
I tried talking my husband into one…
.
.
But he wasn’t the least bit interested.
And because no trip to the fair is complete without prize winning squash…
.
.
Here’s a 1,210 pound pumpkin.
.
.
On our way to the exit gate we ran across a few women walking their calves. Bovine kids get bored and restless just like humans when they’re cooped up all day.
💕
.
.
When I see cows in a field as we’re driving in the country? I’m compelled to announce it.
“Cow!”
But when I’m walking around the Fryeburg fair surrounded by bodacious bovines?
.
.
I just sigh with adoration.
My husband was raised on a dairy farm and the man knows cows. Which is why I think it’s cruel he won’t let me have one.. or ten. Of course I don’t want to muck out stalls or water them when it’s 10 below, which could be a deciding factor in his refusal.
So I get my cow fix when we go to fairs. I love the Belted Galloways which we always call Oreo cows.
.
.
The one in the middle is clearly a double stuff.
.
.
And look, there’s a vanilla cream.
While I was adoring?
.
.
The husband was talking.
And talking.
And talking.
About cows.
And after 20 minutes, about politics. Which is odd because I don’t think cows vote.
.
.
Did you know a cow isn’t technically a cow until she has a calf?
Now you do.
.
.
Can I get an awwww?
.
.
Scottish Highlands are so fuzzy I just want to curl up with a few and stroke them for hours.
.
.
This little beauty was only three days old! Momma delivered at the fair.
.
.
There’s the husband, talking cows again.
.
.
Did you know your veal parmigiana is almost always male?
Now you do.
And because no fair visit is complete without a beauty pageant.
.
.
Cow!
🐄
.
.
Our night time visitors include deer, fox, opossums, skunks and raccoons. I put out a bowl of water and critter specific food but they all nibble the bird seed that spills on the ground.
All of them except this fellow.
.
.
Who prefers his straight from the source.
.
.
You wouldn’t think his chunky little butt could shimmy up that pole, but he climbs it with ease.
.
.
https://youtu.be/FL8DFR3lok4?feature=shared
.
Of course coming down isn’t quite as smooth.
.
.
🤣
.
Pardon the photo quality, I was taking pics through the window and the kitchen light was throwing reflections.
And why isn’t WP letting me embed videos anymore? That’s annoying.
.
.
We’re down to one single woodchuck now.
.
.
Momma and the other 3 siblings have departed the pattern…
.
.
But this little guy knows a good thing when he sees (and eats) it.
.
.
😊
Saw this the other day and had to do a double take.
.
.
And while it’s absolutely true, I had to wonder if it also looks like anyone we know….?
.
.
❤️
.
.
Along with our extremely dry, drought ravished lawn?
.
.
A pair of young bucks.
.
.
They’ve been coming for a nightly nosh since they were born and are now sprouting their first sets of velveted horns.
.
.
Adolescent male deer will stay together until they’re ready to rut.
.
.
Then it’s every deer for himself.
.
.
Our lawn has turned brown from the troubling lack of rain, but that doesn’t stop our nightly critter visitors.
.
.
Skunks and raccoons are usually not a good mix…
.
.
But these guys make it work.
.
.
There are five trash pandas here…
.
.
And this family has been coming since they were babies.
.
.
I rarely get photos because they arrive after dark but here’s a quick clip to give you an idea.
.
.
💕
.
River's world..... 