.
The little nibblers are on the move and nibbling everything.
.
.
They love carrots and lettuce and broccoli and apples.
.
.
They also love our back deck.
.
.
Unfortunately they love it a little too much.
.
.
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
.
.
Too much!
.
.
🥴
.
.
I’ve been cat sitting for our neighbors this week.
.
.
They live one door over and down behind us near the river. They’re also the neighbors who had their driveway redone the same time we did. It’s an absolute joy to ride down there now.
.
.
Pia greets me at the door upon arrival. She never used to, but has come realize I am the bringer of food when mom is away… so I am tolerated now.
.
.
And even allowed to pet her on occasion.
.
.
As long as the food bowls remain full that is.
.
.
.
Lord Dudley Mountcatten has been staring at the living room heat vent.
.
.
I mean, for hours at a time.
.
.
And it’s beginning to freak me out.
.
.
I can’t see anything.
I can’t hear anything.
And even after removing the vent and poking around inside I didn’t see or hear anything.
.
.
And yet…
.
.
Every single day, there he is.
.
.
Waiting for something… *gulp, someone?*…. to rise from the depths.
.
.
If only he could talk….
.
.
A few weeks ago I bought a lovely dragon wing begonia for the Barn Mahal/man cave porch.
.
.
Thankfully the woodchucks don’t care for begonias and have left it unscathed.
.
.
Until yesterday when I sat down to read and noticed the evidence.
.
.
Muddy footprints.
.
.
All over the table.
.
.
They don’t like begonias and didn’t nibble, but clearly it wasn’t for lack of trying….
🥴
.
.
If there’s anyone who puts on a better show in a garden than a peony, I haven’t yet met them.
.
.
For a pure burst of color they’re hard to beat.
.
.
I have a few small plants in the front of the house, but it’s this old backyard beauty that was here when we moved in 20 years ago that makes the biggest statement.
.
.
Peonies can be fussy and hard to establish.
.
.
But if you manage it, they’re carefree beauty that will be enjoyed for decades.
.
.
The baby chucks are growing and feeling their oats.
.
.
Feeding time at the backyard buffet sees it’s fair share of squabbles these days.
.
.
Carrots and apples are clearly worth fighting for.
.
.
The little devils may wreak havoc in my flower beds… but I have to admit they’re fun to watch.
.
.
Case in point…. the husband keeps his old garden cart in our woodshed.
.
.
And the other day when I was out back weeding, I heard noises coming from that direction.
.
.
Chucks.
They’re everywhere.
P. S. … did you notice my fabulous astilbe, aka false goat’s beard?
.
.
It doesn’t look like a goat, but it sure loved all those dark rainy days.
.
.
.
We spent a nice evening with some friends recently. Drinks and appetizers were shared outside in the garden.
.
.
Which is where we met Dave.
.
.
Dave lives on the property and hides his peanuts in dead trees.
Can you see him?
.
.
Dave is an extremely spoiled chipmunk and quite well fed.
.
.
He’s so well fed he came out of hibernation almost a month later than the other chippies because his larder was well stocked.
.
.
Dave had no problem begging in front of company.
.
.
Shy he’s not.
.
.
And he does love his peanuts.
.
.
🙂
.
.
As we were leaving the A1 diner the other day we noticed a large group of people gathered on the bridge spanning the river next door.
.
.
It only took a moment of looking down to realize what they were all there to watch.
.
.
The sturgeon were spawning.
.
.
If you’ve never seen a sturgeon take my word for it, they’re a big strong fish.
As I was taking this video some young men were on the far bank fishing. Since the sturgeon are a protected species this is highly illegal and a woman on the bridge starts screaming at them to leave at the end of this clip. Keep an eye on the water, one of the sturgeon jumped near the end.
.
.
It was an interesting way to end the afternoon.
.
.
.
Just a few glimpses into our backyard.
.
.
Baby chucks are nibbling at an extremely rapid rate. But I’ve discovered they like broccoli stalks so I’m hoping I can keep their teeth busy for a while.
.
.
We had a cool and wet June so the Baltimore Orioles who usually take off for colder, more northern parts when it starts to heat up are still here.
.
.
And they’re devouring the oranges and grape jelly faster than I can replace them.
.
.
The young males fight and squabble over the best position… but they sure are pretty.
.
.
Cow!
.
.
I love that I can say this every time I step outside instead of having to wait for a road trip.
My husband informs me that my nomenclature is incorrect as this is technically a young bull. But squealing bull! doesn’t have the same resonance… so I am compromising with Mister Cow!
This earns an eye roll and a head shake which somehow makes it even more perfect.
😈
.
.
Here’s a giant field of lupine situated in an odd place.
.
.
Next to the local dump. Trash never looked so good…
.
.
The baby woodchucks are growing and seem to be everywhere at once.
.
.
One little guy likes to grab a carrot slice and eat it in privacy on the stone wall.
.
.
Which I must admit makes for some cute pictures.
.
.
Our momma fox is coming earlier than usual now and usually shows up by 4:00pm.
.
.
Chances are her babies are running her ragged and she appreciates the easy source of food.
.
.
Poor momma.
.
.
She’s so tired she eats lying down.
❤️
.
River's world..... 