Tag Archives: wildlife

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Nothing to see here, just a sunbathing seal floating by.

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We had lunch at the Muddy Rudder last week..

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Why the name?

Legend has it that many years ago the tugboat Portland slowly wound its way up the nearby Cousins River. Its destination was Yarmouth, and its purpose was to provide a place for good food, drink, and hospitality. A harsh nor’easter besieged the boat at its mooring and strong winds grounded and overturned her. The restaurant is built on that site.

But wait…. as we were sipping our adult beverages something was spotted outside.

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Do you see it?

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My iPhone camera doesn’t do him justice, but that’s one very chill seal slowly floating by on a chunk of rapidly melting ice.

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Wedge salad and clam chowder later…

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He was still floating. Though he’d flipped over on his stomach and turned to face foward.

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Fried scallops and a stuffed haddock with sherry lobster cream sauce later? He was gone, and we were full. Just another average day on the Maine coast….

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Bombarded by poo.

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In the continuing saga of my immersion into the myriad world of excrement, my television has now jumped on board.

Geesh… you review one book, write a few posts about the digestive tract and suddenly your world is filled with doo doo.

Poo on my FB reader.

Poo on my news feed.

Now?

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My DVR recorded the latest episode of Nova and of course, it’s all about poo.

Thankfully there was a segment of the program devoted to my beloved wombat and his delightfully cubed shaped dung so it wasn’t a total loss.

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I mean really, what’s cuter than that?

But cuddly wombat aside, it does make me wonder where the next batch of excrement will pop up in my life.

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I certainly hope not. But at this point it wouldn’t surprise me..

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Precariously perched.

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We all know squirrels are dedicated acrobats, pilfering seed from feeders upside down and while hanging from one foot. But the other day I found myself being impressed with their balance.

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This little guy was sitting straight up… on a bent branch of our crabapple tree… in high wind.

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It was cold, and his little front feet were tucked in.

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But his back trotters were gripping for all they were worth.

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Bravo little guy.

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Two’s company, three’s a crowd.

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Three grey squirrels were braving the elements for a nosh during our last snow storm.

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This fellow was first to the tray feeder, scrambling up the pole and settling in to munch.

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Squirrel number two had a harder time with the slippery pole….

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But after a few comical attempts… made it to the tray of treats.

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Squirrel #1 was not happy to share and a major scuffle broke out, but it was over quickly and a truce was called.

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All was well until squirrel #3 showed up.

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He climbed the pole 4 times and was booted off in no uncertain terms.

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Two is company… and apparently three is one squirrel too many.

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An unwelcome visitor.

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Lord Dudley Mountcatten alerted to us to a new visitor at Casa River the other day….

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And I can’t say I was pleased.

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In the 20 years we’ve lived here, we’ve never had a rat.

Until now.

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I shouldn’t be surprised. We live in the country with horses for neighbors on both sides and an organic farm across the street.

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But as much as I love all the wild creatures who stop by for a nosh?

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Having a rat dig a tunnel and move into our woodshed will not be tolerated.

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Because if there’s one… there could be one hundred next month.

Sorry bud, but your days are numbered.

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So close….

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I took Lord Dudley Mountcatten out in the snow for round two last week and after a few false starts…

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He accepted the white stuff was cold, wet and crunchy but if one is careful, it can be navigated.

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Careful tiptoeing continued… until he spotted my nemesis.

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While I normally don’t encourage carnage or blood sport, all bets are off when it comes to that house/barn/garage gnawing red bitch.

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I was actively encouraging the stalk and made sure to stand motionless and quiet.

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But alas, she out maneuvered us and hid in the woodshed. No doubt sharpening her teeth in between chuckles.

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Lord Dudley was disheartened, not to mention cold… so round two of ‘introduction to snow’ came to a close.

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NOW it looks like Christmas.

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I woke up to a winter wonderland this morning as our first real snow of the season fell overnight.

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It wasn’t the 6-8 inches they predicted for our area…

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But it coated everything in glorious white… so that’s alright with me.

What wasn’t a welcome sight?

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The creature highlighted here.

The tiny devil who wreaked havoc with us, our house and our barn last year. The little red bitch with sharp teeth. I thought we’d seen the last of her after numerous evictions and nest busting this fall. But no…

She’s baaaack!

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I know just how you feel Dudley.

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