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There’s always one little chucklet that sticks close to mom.
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It might be the runt…
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It might just realize she knows where to find food.
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Either way, momma has a shadow.
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A little mini me chuck.
❤️
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There’s always one little chucklet that sticks close to mom.
.

.
It might be the runt…
.

.
It might just realize she knows where to find food.
.

.
Either way, momma has a shadow.
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A little mini me chuck.
❤️
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Everyone is welcome at our backyard buffet.
We feed birds, deer, ducks, woodchucks, fox, raccoons, skunks, a sometimes opossum and the occasional pheasant.
We never know who’ll show up and in what combination.
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Fox and duck is an odd one.
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In normal circumstances fox would eat duck.
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But with a steady food supply…
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They’re dining partners instead.
😊
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We have almost 3 acres of carefully tended mown lawn. So naturally when I take Lord Dudley Mountcatten outside, he heads straight for the barren patch of dirt under our bird feeders.
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Yes, the bird viewing is up close and personal there…
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But the main reason is he likes to roll.
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The birds eat there. As do the woodchucks, the raccoons, the ducks, the fox and the deer.
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So many good stinky smells in which to cover himself.
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Sigh.
🥴
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The babies are on the move.
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With and without momma chuck.
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They’re mastering eating standing up.
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If they can beat momma to the apples that is.
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Did you know woodchucks can climb trees?
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They also practice on poles.
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Cuteness personified.
💕
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I put a bowl of grain out every night for the deer.
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But lately someone beats them to it.
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And guards it from marauders.
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Momma Chuck likes the grain as well…
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But isn’t sure what to make of its protector.
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She inched closer.
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But finally gave up and stuck to her own buffet.
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😊
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Momma Chuck brings the babies out from under the barn every day now.
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When I see them?
I show up with apples…
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The little guys try to talk mom into feeding them.
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But that’s not happening.
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Junior figures it out.
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And munches happily beside his mom.
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If that’s not cute, I don’t know what is.
💕
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Our resident male mallard duck likes the deer grain.
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He really likes it.
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He likes it so much he climbs into the bowl and guards it.
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And quacks loudly if anyone gets near.
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I think he’s pooping in it as well….
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Which would explain why the deer haven’t been eating it lately.
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Momma Chuck birthed them and nursed them…
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But now that they’re eating the same solid food ?
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She’s not sharing with them.
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Motherhood has its limits.
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🤣
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Siblings don’t always get along.
Or so I’ve heard.
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Clearly this goes for baby woodchucks as well as humans.
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Momma Chuck doesn’t intervene.
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And beats feet when things get too rowdy.
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❤️
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Poor Momma Chuck has her hands paws full with five babies.
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Teaching them to be self sufficient and take advantage of the daily buffet we lay out is exhausting.
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More often than not she beats them to it and gobbles everything up before they wander over.
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Momma needs nourishment and strength.
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As well as a decent support bra.
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What does she think of the local paparazzi?
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This.
🤣
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