With apologies to Kevin Costner….
I’m talking about the deer.
When snow covers the ground and grass is hard to find?
Shoveling a path is a sure way to attract a crowd.
Or a herd, as the case may be.
We were really glad to see our resident 12 point buck survived hunting season.
And visits daily with his harem.
Of course he also chases them away when the treats run low.
Cheeky bugger.
Here’s a little clip in between snow storms.
Done with the caves, we thought we were done with the park but there was still a little left to explore.
A nature path through the woods.
Leading past a sugar shack…
And an old tree.
Do I post fascinating stuff or what?
Stop that!
There was a rock set up for climbing….
As well as one with some munchies on top.
And you know what?
Still better than kale.
We kept hiking.
Up some rocks…
And some stairs…
And oh boy! The husband’s face says it all…
More stairs.
To be honest there wasn’t much more to see. But we found a gazebo on our way back down… with rather questionable graffiti.
Okay.
I’m not sure that needed be to advertised…. but whatever floats your boat.
One more smooth path down…
And we neared the exit.
Where I had to stop and feed those precious European fallow deer again.
Such little cuties.
Polar Caves… the end!
Half a day experiencing it , 5 days blogging about it.
Say what you want about me… (and I’m sure you will)
You can’t say I’m not thorough.
The Polar Caves in Rumney, NH was one of the few tourist destinations on my list. While we usually prefer natural wild places, I’d read good reviews on this multi generational family run spot and figured we should check it out.
Happily we showed up on the last day of the year that they’re open and didn’t have to fight the crowds.
I knew I was going to like it when we saw a large oak tree in the parking lot with this sign underneath…
You have to appreciate that kind of thoughtfulness, if not their spelling.
I had my doubts after buying tickets in the ticky tacky gift shop and walking outside to find the usual giant Adirondak chair.
And when we saw the creepy anorexic polar bears?
I figured I’d made a mistake.
But the small petting zoo charmed me…
With it’s precious European fallow deer…
That we had to feed…
And pet.
I mean really…. could you resist that face?
They make the funniest noise when they vocalize, almost a squeak.
And after having his say, this guy almost fell asleep.
Look how small they are. I told the husband I could easily fit a couple in the barn, but he wasn’t amused.
There were also some gorgeous Chinese pheasants.
Although they were hard to photograph due to the cages and a moat around the outside that keeps pesky children’s fingers away.
The tails on the males were pretty impressive.
As were their colors.
But this little guy stole my heart.
Look at him…
He’s a Dr. Seuss bird come to life!
Just some deer…
And last month’s backyard fall leaves.
I fear for our resident buck this time of year.
Bow season in October, rifle season in November, black powder season in December.
Three months of abject slaughter I will never understand.
I’m tired of the culling argument. Mother Nature takes care of her own…. and hunters don’t want the small and the weak.
They want the big racks. (Of course they do, they’re men.)
They kill the strongest, largest and healthiest buck they can find…. which means those genes won’t get passed on.
Meanwhile, Momma’s fawns are growing up.
No more spotted Bambis.
And the does enjoy a treat before cold weather sets in….
Bird baths.
They’re not just for birds anymore….
These little guys never used to drink here until an apple tree sprouted in my garden bed a few years ago.
Now they’ve realized they can safely climb onto an overhanging branch and jump in.
Like I do…
Actual photo of me last Saturday night.
Pardon the quality of these shots, but it was dark and I was shooting through a window.
I’ve often wondered why the deer don’t stop to slake their thirst.
Now, I have proof that they do.
Looking across the street to our neighbor’s organic vegetable farm is always interesting.
But this time of year, it’s downright beautiful.
Who knew artichokes could be so pretty?
And when our neighbor has wood chips delivered….
HE HAS WOODCHIPS DELIVERED.
When you’re a farmer’s child?
You don’t need no stinkin’ sandbox.
On the critter front,
We’re down to one lone woodchuck.
He’s still fat…
And still clumsy…
And still hangs out on our deck once in a while. But it’s autumn, and all his brothers and sisters are finding dens and getting ready for winter. I doubt even this one will be here much longer.
Sigh…
Autumn also means the deer are changing into their darker winter coats. One summer coated hold out is on the right for comparison.
A murder of crows have now discovered our bird bath.
Why are they called a murder?
Uh oh.
And finally, we have a new skunk in town.
I admit I never really paid attention to skunk tails before, but we’ve had so many different families this year I’ve gotten to recognize them by their individual patterns.
This is Tippy.
Brilliantly named for the white tip on her tail.
Is she really a she?
I neither know, nor care to get close enough to find out.
The photo files need purging again so…
Mother woodchuck and her last baby.
The other 3 have taken off for parts unknown.
And I get the feeling this final child isn’t the brightest bulb in the pack.
Someone needs to tell him we eat from the bowl, not sit in it.
Or lie in it for that matter.
Our beautiful buck is back.
Which makes me nervous as it’s hunting season.
Fingers crossed no one breaks up his family.
This little devil was perched on the feeder bar waiting for an unsuspecting meal the other morning…
I saw feathers on the lawn later in the day, so mission accomplished.
The flies have been thick for the past few days and target the deer mercilessly.
It’s my opinion this doe was sticking her tongue out at the flies…
And not the photographer.
Finally, who needs video games….
When you’ve got real live angry birds right on the back lawn?
If you haven’t guessed by now, I take a lot of pictures.
My life may not be fascinating…
But it’s damn sure well documented.
And what’s a blog for if not sharing random baby deer photos from earlier this summer?
Not much to comment on.
Just enjoy the sweetness…
While I organize my photo files.
And if you’re not into cute furry 4 legged babies?
Then tune in again next time…
When I’m sure to have more meaningless drivel.
Because my photo files are filled with critter pics.
A wet fox.
Two wet foxes.
Okay, okay… moving on.
Baby woodchuck.
These pics are a month or two old, they’re not babies anymore.
I can’t tell you exactly how old because my stupid camera’s date and time setting is broken and everything registers 1/1/1980.
Why? I have no frickin’ clue.
Buck, on the field line.
Doe, in the field.
Wet skunk.
Wet skunk and deer.
This next one is blurry, but how often do you get a shot of a deer sticking her tongue out at a skunk?
Skunk Rule #1?
Do not be rude to skunks.
They will make you pay… and the photographer’s house will stink for a week.
More woodchucks….
Eating apples.
And woodchucks eating deer grain.
More deer.
And deer eating deer grain.
More skunks.
More foxes.
Skunk and fox.
Please remember Skunk Rule #1.
There is no Skunk Rule #2…. when the tail goes up?
Run.
More woodchucks.
I’d like to tell you that’s all the photos…. but it’s not even close.
That’s all for now though.
Tried to photograph 4 fawns frolicking around your back yard… at dusk…. through a window?
It’s not easy.
And most of your shots come out looking like this:
Or this:
They look rather like ghost deer…
But I assure you they were corporeal beings.
They just rarely stand still.
Or face the camera.
The video is poor quality, and a bit shaky…. although it gets slightly better halfway through.
But you’ll see what I mean about frolicking.
Multiple Bambis!
There.
You have now fulfilled your cuteness quota for the day.
River's world..... 