HAPPY NEW WEEK! I hope everyone has a wonderful week! I’m taking a short break from work to say hello to you all and tell you about my new friend.
Every summer, I seem to have one animal who chooses to stay close to my house and keep me company. Last year, it was the little yearling white-tailed deer. This year, it’s an enormous groundhog! He’s made a burrow underneath the fallen apple tree next to my bedroom window, and he’s been spending his days puttering around my front porch, eating the weeds that I’ve allowed to grow.
He’s a formidable critter. A couple of decades ago, we had a huge groundhog on this land. My Mom named him “Bear,” because he was nearly as large as a bear cub. The current resident groundhog must be Bear’s descendent, because he’s a big fella! He has immense teeth (I think he’s fairly old) and long, thick claws. Despite his scary appearance, he’s been friendly to me. Groundhogs generally avoid people and can be hostile to humans if they feel crowded or cornered, but Bear II makes no effort to leave when I go outdoors. When I talk to him, he tilts his head like a dog and stares at me with interest. LOL He makes me laugh, waddling around the yard.
I didn’t try to photograph him, because I read that mobile phones and other devices emit electromagnetic fields that some animals, including groundhogs, can hear (or feel?). He looks like the one in this photo, though.
Groundhog, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia NPS photo labeled “Public domain” (copyright free)
LINDA - I have to supervise OH’s medication. And if I didn’t take repeat scripts to chemist, I’m sure he wouldn’t bother. I thought I had finished with children behaviour <sigh>
Chilly today. Last night down to 4.6 C climbing all the way to 15 by early pm. At least it was sunny for the twins kindy walkathon. Peaceful here today as demolition has finished and there is a pause with Next Door’s renovations.
Morning all:
Diane: Thanks for that link. I remember when P41 was found dead after the fire - also when P39 was hit crossing a freeway leaving three cubs, at least one of which was also hit by a car. Saw some roadkill on the way home last night, but not sure if it was a dog or a coyote. :-( Incidentally, there's a widely circulated photo of a mountain lion right outside the patio doors of a house somewhere in Mission Canyon (I think) and some folks who know about these things and the animals' territorial range are saying it's the same one that's been spotted in the city limits.
AQ: Read a report the other day that claimed unmarried women with no children are the happiest (probably because they don't have to deal with children behavior). :-)
Off for a walk; have a good day all.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home