It’s a conspiracy.
I know it.
Those damn red squirrels have been plotting and now they’ve got corporate behind them.
How do I know this?
Because yesterday I got this box from Amazon:

Race cars….
For squirrels!
I’m doomed.
It’s a conspiracy.
I know it.
Those damn red squirrels have been plotting and now they’ve got corporate behind them.
How do I know this?
Because yesterday I got this box from Amazon:

Race cars….
For squirrels!
I’m doomed.
But the ever dwindling woodchuck family is now down to three.

Momma chuck and two children.

The sextuplets are now twins.

And even more outnumbered by the starlings than ever.

But they’re growing quickly and packing on the pounds for winter.

So much so, it’s getting hard to distinguish them from their mother.

Until…

She stands up.

No doubt about it then.

Does anyone know where I can get a woodchuck girdle?
Asking for a friend.
We caught another glimpse of Bambi last night.

Making it’s way into the woods with mom.

Can I get an awwww?

Last year’s babies antlers are growing…. this one’s straight up.

And this one’s up and out.

They’re brothers and no, I have no idea why their racks grow in different shapes.
And lastly, the end.

Of the deer, as well as my post.
We had our first little guy sighting of the season the other day.

And oh my goodness….

If that isn’t the definition of the word sweet I’ll eat a kale souffle.

The family kept a close huddle on the food.

But Junior managed to push his/her way into the fray.

I think I might have audibly squeaked in joy at that point.

Bambi!

We knew some of the does were pregnant, but they won’t bring the fawns up out of the woods for the first few months.

And even then it’s usually very early in the morning when yours truly is still in dreamland.

So it was wonderful to see them in the late late afternoon when the sun was still shining and providing light for pictures.

Welcome to the herd little one.

You’ll want to stick around, the crazy lady with the camera lays out a pretty nice buffet.
This is the time of year my heart goes out to these graceful wild creatures.
Because in Maine?

It’s fly season.

And there’s nothing flies like more than a juicy deer.

The poor things are covered in them.

Day and night, night and day.

All over their bodies.
They twitch, they scratch, they shake like a Parkinson’s patient to no avail.

I can’t even imagine how horrible this must be.
I go berserk if one nasty fly finds me when I’m mowing the lawn…. I’d be stark raving mad if I had to contend with this many!
Okay, I admit it.

The little rat bastards fellows are cute.

Sitting on the railing….

With vibrant day lilies blooming in the background…..

Voguing for the camera like some fur covered super model.

Though I highly doubt Naomi Campbell ever pooped on her runway.

Cute, yes…

But you’re still a giant pain in my ass!
I know we’ve all become lazy housebound sods who can’t be bothered to put on pants during the pandemic, but this?

This is a bridge too far.
The day I’m too lazy to stir my own pan you have permission to slit my throat, fill it with kale and put me out of my misery.
And while I’m all for cocktails?

I have absolutely no intention of sharing my margaritas with llamas.
Nope.
Not happening.

Oh, yeah.
Kitty Hitler looks positively thrilled.

Let’s ponder this for a moment.
Someone thought about, invented, pitched, found investment capital and marketed….. a hammock for fish.
Is this a great country or what!
And finally…. when your dog no longer needs his collar of shame?

Viola!
You can re-purpose it in the kitchen.
You’re welcome.
Woodchucks are still being tormented by starlings.

And are sometimes drastically outnumbered.

Deer and fox happily dine together.

Squirrel keeps an eye on deer.

But calls in back up.

Until another fox shows up.

Who is so chill he lays down and eats like a Roman.

How chill?
He even smiles for the camera.

Deer, fox and squirrels depart, woodchucks return.

It’s the circle of life.
Otherwise known as an average afternoon in our backyard.
*note – these pictures were taken before the drought turned our lawn a lovely shade of brown*

This little female Baltimore Oriole for example.

She sat there for 15 minutes or so…..

Waiting in vane for dinner to be served.

Then there’s my sworn enemy little rat bastard red squirrel.

We may have evicted them from their corner post home…..

But it hasn’t stopped their daily visits.

And raids on the deer bound apple slices.
Turn your back if you want you pesky varmint…. we both know what you’re up to.
As any gardener can tell you, things happen.
Flowers don’t bloom, leaves turn brown and sometimes…. things pop up without you having any idea how they got there.
Case in point?
The pots on our back deck.

I swear …..

I didn’t plant that.

But it’s thriving all the same.