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Foxes.
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Our pair has been absent of late, but now they’re back.
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Turkeys.
They’ve discovered the deer grain bowl and make short work of it.
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Riveting turkey video for your viewing pleasure.
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Blue eyed Bambi and mom.
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I hate to say it…
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But I think his/her eyes are starting to turn brown.
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.
I read that could happen.
.
.
But was hoping he/she would hold on to them a little longer.
.
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*
Of photos.
But after the post I did the other day, I don’t blame you for wondering.
Babies have grown up.
And venture out daily. Three in the above picture.
They are also getting fat.
Though I can’t imagine why.
I’m sad to say I saw a fox run off with one in it’s mouth last week.
And though momma chuck does her best, nature will occasionally have her way.
She started with 6 children, went down to 4…. and now it’s 3.
Quadruplets are now triplets.
But they’re still fun to watch….
I’m still trying to make friends…
And Momma still needs a good support bra.
If you’re getting bored of our backyard zoo…..
Tell me.
I won’t stop posting pictures….
But I could probably be talked into just the highlights.
Or then again….
Maybe not.
So feel free to skip these posts if critters aren’t your thing.
I won’t be upset.
But he might.
And on the ground.
It was a meet cute.
And apparently they hit it off.
She was a foxy lady after all.
A little snuggling.
A few nips behind the ear.
And viola.
A happy couple.
Or not.
What do I know?
It’s fierce.
And when her babies are around?
(Yes, I’m talking about woodchucks…. were you expecting something else?)
When her babies are here….
And her babies are there…
Momma knows no fear.
Take a look at who she chased the other evening.
You go momma chucker!
I heard some Hellacious (Yes, that’s a word. At least in Maine.) chattering the other afternoon.
Looked out back…
And saw momma red squirrel perched on the plant hanger.
She was flicking her tail and screeching like a Hollywood starlet who ran out of Botox.
She screeched so hard a seed fell out of her mouth.
It only took me a minute to figure out why.
The other visitor.
No worries readers, momma escaped unharmed.
Alright, that’s a lie.
It’s just me snapping shots from the window. But that’s not a snappy title… so get over it.
Our fox is coming every night now.
And sometimes he/she brings a friend.
They’re such beautiful creatures.
And wonderful at keeping the mouse population under control.
As you can see from the bird feeders, it’s Baltimore Oriole time.
They’re gorgeous, but quick.
And catching a good shot is rare.
We put out oranges and grape jelly, which they adore.
Of course, so does everyone else.
A raccoon comes in at midnight and strips the jelly…
And this hairy woodpecker makes short work of the oranges.
Our resident chucker is still here.
Enjoying apples.
And salad scraps.
Life is good in my little corner of the world.
You knew where this was headed.
Our beautiful pair of foxes from last year are back.
Which means I’m laying in a steady supply of grain free vitamin filled dry dog food with taurine.
Along with fresh strawberries and blueberries.
Why?
Because a veterinarian friend told me that’s the best thing to feed them.
And because this:
Is only available for sale in England.
After we settled into resort #2, we tried to pick a day’s activity that we could all enjoy… because yours truly was not visiting another theme park, no matter how much I loved that child.
Hence the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News. Part zoo, part aquarium and lots of interactive children’s exhibits.
Because who doesn’t love a velociraptor Santa Claus?
An extensive boardwalk wraps around the wildlife enclosure where little people can run to their heart’s content.
And the old folks can enjoy the beauty of a red fox…..
And a bobcat.
Who even though a wild cat, still enjoyed a cardboard box.
Insert required cute group photo here.
There was a plastic dinosaur section…..
Where little hands could get filthy excavating some plastic bones.
Injured vultures…..
And bald eagles were next… this one with a clearly broken wing. And if you’ve ever wondered how large an eagle’s nest is?
Yeah. They’re pretty damned large.
More boardwalks, more running.
And some shore birds…
Whose antics I could easily have stood and watched all day.
Did she see anything?
No, but she had fun trying.
