Our Backyard

After the house buying episode (for those that don't know, we were going to build a house, and then decided not to), we have been particularly appreciative of our backyard. While we dream of a larger house that will come sooner rather than later, we love our backyard. In the summer, there's a great canopy of dense green. The fall is awesome and multicolored. Snow in winter makes it perfect and white, and Spring is full of all the blooming trees and shrubs.

We have had more than a few brushes with woodland wildlife lately. We always have the regular assortment of squirrels and chipmunks and a lot of different species of birds. But recently, we met a vole (above). We had gone for a walk, only to return to practiaclly every neighborhood child standing around our front flowers. For more about voles, visit: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7439.html. Apparently, they are a bit destructive, but as we are not growing crops, no harm no foul.

A few days later on a quiet, sunny Sunday, I glanced outside to see just about the largest woodpecker one will ever see, a pileated woodpecker. He spent about an hour just popping about looking for food or whatever he does.

Sadly, there is a clash of cultures in our woods. There are no less than 6 cats that roam our woods, no doubt wrecking havoc with the ecosystem. Our cats have supervised visits outside only. Today, while walking on the side of our house, I noticed one of these cats and shooed him away. When I got closer, I realized he was about to attack a baby bunny that could fit in the palm of one's hand. We've noticed the parents around a lot lately, so we're certain there's a family to be found. After trying to protect/guide the little thing back to safe areas of cover, we're hoping that a parent will soon return after we have cleared out. But we suspect the bunny's outlook will not be good with the cats "circling."