It’s happening.

Red squirrel.

And woodchuck.

A common goal.

A shared food source.

An alliance.

Partners….

Synchronizing positions.
I’m doomed.
It’s happening.

Red squirrel.

And woodchuck.

A common goal.

A shared food source.

An alliance.

Partners….

Synchronizing positions.
I’m doomed.
But the ever dwindling woodchuck family is now down to three.

Momma chuck and two children.

The sextuplets are now twins.

And even more outnumbered by the starlings than ever.

But they’re growing quickly and packing on the pounds for winter.

So much so, it’s getting hard to distinguish them from their mother.

Until…

She stands up.

No doubt about it then.

Does anyone know where I can get a woodchuck girdle?
Asking for a friend.
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*
Sometimes it’s a wonderful thing.

Loyalty, fraternity….

Oh come on, you knew this would be about woodchucks not people.

But sometimes….

Siblings squabble.

And boy….

If looks could kill.

I was finally able to grab a few pictures of our resident buck.

Which is getting harder to do as the summer wears on.

But this father son shot was pretty sweet.

Junior’s antlers are growing.

And it always makes me wonder what the felt feels like.

Naturally there are woodchuck photos.

And some close ups.

We have one lone chipmunk this year.

And yes, those pesky red squirrel babies are still here.

Using our deck railing as a cafeteria.

As well as a toilet.

Yes, I’m talking to you.
Clearly your mother didn’t tell you not to shit where you eat.
Bad form. Very bad…..
What’s a baby woodchuck to do?

All he wants to do is peacefully munch the bounty thoughtfully provided by that crazy woman in the house.

It’s bad enough his pesky brother shows up….

But then that pesky bird tries to steal his blueberries.

And before you know it…..

The bird calls in reinforcements.

And things go downhill fast.

What’s a woodchuck to do?
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.

Okay, if you insist.

I caught a couple of nice shots of our old doe in the field.

I don’t know how many seasons she’s seen, and the poor thing didn’t even blow her winter coat this year.

But she comes for dinner every night.

And brings her kids.

Whose little Frankenstein nubs always make me chuckle.

Everyone gets along well.

Except this one.

Who sticks his tongue out at woodchucks.

I guess everyone has a rude child once in a while.
Woodchucks!

Posing in clover.

Having a healthy snack.

Kissing.
Or biting, who the hell knows? They’re rodents….. for all I know they’re discussing campaign strategy.

They love lettuce.

And since we’ve been flooded with it from our CSA, so have they.
Behold –

My first photo of momma and 4 babies together.

She’s down 2 due to fox predation, so the sextuplets are now quadruplets.

Poor momma.

She’s fiercely protective, but Mother Nature always has the final say.
Like these quick shots I didn’t have time to focus.

Do you suppose that starling called Uber….

And this was what showed up?

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.