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Remember the perennials I bought for the stone bordered garden bed out back?
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There was a big beautiful purple and white lupine ready to go.
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They’re iconic in Maine and I’ve always loved them.
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But apparently so did the woodchucks.
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Goodbye bloom.
Goodbye leaves.
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This is what’s left of the lupine and what used to be a lovely pink phlox.
Grrr….
😡
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Lately we’ve just had the junior woodchuck visiting the backyard. He was the runt of last year’s litter and though momma chuck is famous for booting all the kids out of the den as soon as they’re grown, this little guy is still living at home.
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But momma is not pleased.
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Every time he gets near her she barks and bites and drives him off.
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Watermelon is not to be shared with deadbeat kids who live in the basement.
🤣
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Critters be multiplying here at Casa River.
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Along with some green grass comes another woodchuck.
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I believe that’s the old momma from previous years at the dish.
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She has some distinctive scars on her face and has been calling our backyard home for the past four years.
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Must be last season’s baby to the left.
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Woke up to this the other morning.
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And I have to admit, colorful sunrises never get old.
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Our one chuck is still visiting daily looking for treats.
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Apples and carrots are his (her?) favorite.
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Temperatures are rising, the snow has melted and we’re seeing a bit of green grass.
But the surest sign of spring at Casa River is this:
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Our first woodchuck sighting!
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We’ve had a momma raise her young under our barn for the past 6 years or so and always wonder if they’ll be back.
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Of course laying out some carrot slices helps.
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Welcome back spring!
😌
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We’re officially down to one woodchuck.
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And he/she is making the most of the lack of competition., chowing down on the buffet in peace.
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Woodchuck….
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Or woodchonk?
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I’m leaning towards the latter.
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We might be down to one baby woodchuck.
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Although he/she isn’t a baby anymore.
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To be honest it’s hard to tell this one and momma apart anymore.
I like to think our veggie buffet bonanza has given him/her a good start in life.
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I know it’s definitely expanded their waistline.
🤣
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Our chuckers are social eaters. They happily munch alongside deer, skunks and raccoons.
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And yes, wild turkeys as well.
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Until said turkey gets a little too friendly.
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And is chased from the buffet for the duration.
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I woke up to this the other day.
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Husband was having his coffee, I was reading the news and Lord Dudley went running to the back door.
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Where a little inter species communication commenced.
I was all for letting our little back deck visitor in, but was prohibited to do so by my grumpy husband.
Boo to unadventurous spouses.
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I think we’re down to two baby woodchucks now.
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There were originally seven…. and I’m choosing to believe momma just booted them out of the den as opposed to the more disturbing killed and eaten by predator explanation.
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The two remaining siblings stay pretty close together.
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Especially when feeding.
❤️
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River's world..... 