A week ago today I had my toes “did.” The piggies that went to market were negligent in their nail-growing duties, and I had them surgically corrected. This is why there was nothing adventurous to report last weekend. There will be zilch again this weekend because I miscalculated the recovery time and returned to work too quickly. So, here I sit at home.
Although I am going a little stir-crazy since I can’t walk too much for exercise (close-toed shoes are like torture devices) home isn’t such a bad place to be, nature-wise. That is the whole reason, that 20 years ago, we chose to live where we do. When the local elk herd showed up this morning in our field, I was reminded that when we can’t get out to see the critters, more often than not, the critters will come to us. Come have a virtual seat on our back deck, and I’ll show you.
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| Wapiti |
This photo wasn’t taken today, but it could’ve been — the same view I had this morning, probably some of the same elk.
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| Bull elk behind the greenhouse. |
The elk have been a consistent presence. They have provided us with hours of viewing entertainment, as well as gardening frustration since they eat everything, even all the plants the books say they don’t eat. Sometimes, they pull plants out by the roots, only to throw them down uneaten, just to show you who’s boss in these parts.
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| Black-tailed deer fawn |
Baby animals are the best, and we’ve enjoyed watching many little ones grow up over the years.
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| Bobcat |
Where there is prey, there are predators. This one is especially fond of chickens and decimated my flock last year. It has also cornered our Turtle kitty under the deck. Neither the chickens nor the cat get to free-range anymore. I miss the dogs whose presence kept this beautiful feline at bay.
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| Bear! |
We have never seen a bear while out hiking, but have seen many here at home. The one above is a youngster that showed up in the front yard mere minutes after I had finished mowing it.
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| Big bear! |
A much bigger ursa just behind our back fence in the neighbor’s field.
[Opossum]
This one wandered into the raccoon trap, but no raccoons did. Most people think opossums are ugly, but not me. I feel compelled to love them for being the only North American marsupial.
[Bat]
This bat was probably sick since it was out during the day. I don’t particularly want to touch healthy bats, so this one posed no danger to me as it was.
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| Beaver |
There is a wetland area at the back of our property where beavers have lived for longer than we’ve been here and have done their share of tree trimming. The above picture shows the only time we were able to capture one in a photo. That concludes the mammal portion of this presentation, at least the ones of which I have photos. We also regularly see rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, rats, moles, shrews, and coyotes. Mountain lions have been seen in our area, although we have never spotted one. That doesn’t mean they’ve never spotted us. Onto reptiles and amphibians!
[Garter snake]
We are glad that there are no poisonous snakes on our side of the mountains. In the summer, we go on daily “snake walks” around the property, checking the usual places they like to warm themselves.
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| Northern Alligator Lizard |
These are common, and they will shed their tails to get away if caught. Ask any local cat.
[Pacific Tree Frog]
It is amazing how loud these sticky-footed creatures can be when they get going in the warmer months.
[Rough-skinned Newt]
Look at those little “hands!” But don’t get its skin toxins on your hands. Now for the birds!
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| Food fight! |
Does anyone not like hummingbirds? I keep feeders up year-round, and the Anna’s delight us even throughout the winter. In the summer, the coppery Rufous come to play, as well.
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| Canada Goose |
These are so common everywhere that I forget how pretty they are. Mean and loud and poopy, but pretty.
[Bufflehead ducks]
We have seen all sorts of waterfowl pass through over the years. Waterfowl carry bird flu, so don’t let them breathe on you.
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| Golden-crowned Kinglet |
Of course, there are dozens of small birds around at any given time. I’m thinking a fun goal for this year might be to try to photograph as many as I can.
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| Who? |
Owl, probably barred. It lives in the woods on the east side of the house.
[Barn Owl]
This one was in a carrier because our animal control friend brought it out to release here, but we have seen others gliding around the property at different times. I find their faces both interesting and startling. Other large birds we see frequently are bald eagles, hawks, quail, and blue herons. Let’s look for insects!
Clockwise: Katydid, woolly bear, ladybug, dragonfly, Cinnabar moth, garden spider
Lastly, the slimy things that the Pacific Northwest is known for: Mollusca.
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| Sluggo! |
Sorry for the blurriness, or maybe not, depending on you feel about slugs. If you are not from the PNW, you would be amazed at the size of the slugs we have here. They’re epic.
[Snail.]
Not slugs with shells, but close. They’re certainly “cuter.”
Gosh, bird flu, rabies, skin toxin, and animals large enough to kill and eat you. It’s a jungle out here!
Hopefully, the piggies will be all better by next weekend, and I can get them out on the trails again. Thanks for stopping by my nature preserve!