Tag Archives: backyard

Random creatures.

April 14, 2026 Rivergirl 13 Comments

.

Momma Chuck is back…

.

.

And enjoying some broccoli.

.

.

Early spring means red winged black birds, starlings and grackles.

.

.

Lots of them.

.

.

And they’re hungry. So hungry they devour the suet cake in less than an hour and strip three feeders in two. It’s a pricey time of year.

.

.

We have three or four skunks who visit every night but one little guy arrives early, oftentimes alongside the deer.

That does not however, mean he likes them.

(Please ignore the background noise. The husband was battling an angel food cake container)

.

.

Skunk -1.

Deer -0.

.

.

And then there’s Lord Dudley Mountcatten who waits patiently for his morning coffee.

.

.

He doesn’t actually drink it…

.

.

Just likes to lick the mug when the husband is finished.

Cats.

What can you do?

.

.

❤️

.

We’re fawn-ed of them.

April 11, 2026 Rivergirl 13 Comments

.

Our backyard fawns are growing up.

.

.

It’s such fun to see the young spotted babies make their way into adulthood.

.

.

We get used to seeing them.

.

.

They get used to seeing us.

.

.

Until the neighbor’s dog starts barking and they all flee to the safety of the woods.

🩷

.

Finally!

April 5, 2026 Rivergirl 13 Comments

.

I forgot to post these last week but…

.

.

It finally happened.

.

.

Can you see?

.

.

Our resident buck lost an antler.

.

.

One side only.

.

.

But it’s a start…

.

.

😊

.

Squirrelly acrobats.

April 4, 2026 Rivergirl 22 Comments

.

A few more of our oh so limber and persistent gray squirrels.

.

.

The lantern feeder on the end is the largest and holds the most seed…

.

.

So naturally they try to take advantage.

.

.

Which requires contortionist moves.

.

.

And prehensile feet.

.

.

The flat feeders are so much easier to access.

.

.

Thank you Jerry.

I’m pretty pleased with it as well.

😉

.

Lights, indoor and out.

April 2, 2026 Rivergirl 10 Comments

.

I can’t remember who it was, but someone requested photos of our newly installed wall sconces when lit.

.

.

Seeing that it’s rarely going to happen due to the stupidly placed switch, this will be a one off.

.

.

I started with 40 watts which was way too bright, then dropped down to decorative 25 watt bulbs …

.

.

Which honestly, I still think is too bright.

Oh, well.

.

.

The sunrise light is always prettier.

.

.

And much more colorful.

.

.

☀️❤️☀️

.

Some stinky visitors.

April 1, 2026 Rivergirl 10 Comments

.

We like our cute little black and white visitors…

.

.

They’re great for the garden, keeping bug and rodent populations down.

.

.

But occasionally they rumble.

.

.

And when the tail goes up?

.

.

The air is not exactly perfumed.

🤢

.

A few leftover snowy pics. Critters and sunrises…

March 29, 2026 Rivergirl 21 Comments

.

Our snow has melted but I had these kicking around the photo files and thought I’d share.

.

.

Squirrelly sentries.

.

.

I know there are people who dislike them, but we welcome our harmless grays.

.

.

They’re acrobatic and quite entertaining.

.

.

Mornings have been beautiful of late.

.

.

With lovely sunrises …

.

.

And colorful skies.

.

.

😊

.

Impressive core work and the first chuck sighting.

March 26, 2026 Rivergirl 21 Comments

.

Our gray squirrels are quite acrobatic and during a recent snow storm… when I brought in all the bird feeders except the one from which they have trouble stealing… this little guy went above and beyond for a snack.

I’m guessing he has six pack abs under that fur.

.

.

He fell quite a few times, but finally found a stable perch.

.

.

In other wildlife news, our first chuck of the season arrived.

.

.

In the middle of the storm with nothing to nibble but fallen seed.

.

.

Poor chuck.

.

.

I doubt that was the meal he dreamt about all winter.

.

Buck up!

March 24, 2026 Rivergirl 19 Comments

.

Our weirdo resident buck never lost his antlers this winter.

.

.

And in all the decades we’ve been hosting backyard deer, that’s never happened.

.

.

Makes me wonder why…

.

.

And hope nothing is wrong.

.

.

It looks rather painful.

.

.

They stomp at us all the time.

I’ve spoken deer for years…

😉

.

I think owl share some more.

March 21, 2026 Rivergirl 27 Comments

.

Because it was such a rare occurrence…

.

.

And he was just too beautiful.

.

.

❤️

.

.

He knew we were there, watching and taking pictures.

.

.

But didn’t seem to mind.

.

.

Of course we weren’t the only ones looking.

.

.

And after a wonderful ten minutes or so…

.

.

He swooped for a mouse…

.

.

But came up empty handed.

Or should that be empty taloned…?

.

Where there's only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.