It works so often, one has to wonder…
“I miss the groundhogs!”
said Grant yesterday morning.
The last sighting had been November 2nd. It was the latest we have ever seen a groundhog out.
Shortly after, as I wrestled to re-insert a quilt into its zipper bag:
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“Oh my God! You won’t believe it!”
These announcements come fairly often, I should point out and it was the crucial moment in my struggle, so I did not respond.
“There’s a groundhog out!”
“Really?”
He summons and they come!
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It was our friend Scooter, the groundhog with a disabled back leg. Had it misread the calendar? Groundhog Day is February 2nd and the only groundhog ever seen that day is poor old Punxsutawney Phil who gets dragged out each year to see, or not see, his shadow.
If he doesn’t “see his shadow”, Spring will come early.
If this had ever been more than 16th century superstition, climate change would have scuppered it long ago.
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Punxsutawney is actually not the only groundhog dragged out on February 2nd. There are numerous others .
No doubt they are well cared for, but they are wild animals and should be respected as such.
As for why Scooter emerged voluntarily after only a month, we can only guess. Perhaps Nature stepped in, urging this fragile creature to find food while the weather is still mild. She is already so thin after just a month.
The groundhog here was photographed in August, 2 months before the beginning of hibernation.
Which gives you an idea of how rotund they should be.
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We would love to bring Scooter in, to care for her and protect her through the winter months.
We felt the same way about Mrs Plod, the blind possum. But wild is wild. How terrifying it would be to be taken from a natural habitat and surrounded by strange noises and strange creatures.
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Many wild animals are re-rehabilitated by properly trained people in sanctuaries that are properly equipped.
The best we can do is ensure water is available, leave a bit of food out and let Nature do the rest.
Attaching feelings to wildlife more often than not leads to grief. We try to be pragmatic but it is hard.
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Crows in this part of the world have reason to be very wary of human beings, so they keep their distance.
However, when I’m at my desk I can watch them in the driveway. They amuse me as they strut about. The fact that one of them was hopping on one foot was very obvious.
The bad foot was atrophied, but the bird seemed to cope perfectly well and was always accompanied by a mate.
The pair were always about somewhere during the day and we commented to one another when we saw them.
But Gimpy was another of the 2023 disappearances.
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We began seeing odd numbers of crows. Did it mean Gimpy was permanently gone?
For weeks we watched, hoping to notice that odd hopping movement. But there was no sign of our friend.
One of the last times I saw this bird, it had struck me that the foot seemed less disabled. Perhaps it had healed?
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It seemed we would never know, but then just the other day I stopped to watch some crows in the driveway and I thought one of them was, perhaps….
It seemed not to be strutting like the others, but we’ve both watched over and over, only to be disappointed when the object of our attention marched off.
This time, though…it hopped! Gimpy! And the foot was definitely, maybe not functioning correctly, but certainly less of an impediment.
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We’ve not seen Gimpy since, but to know that bird was alive really made our day.
It’s not always sad.
It’s always good to spot an old acquaintance, and frustrating when one disappears. We hope always for the best but have to accept that nature has her own rules and restrictions. I was surprised to read that groundhogs normally live for only three years, with up to six being an old timer!
Thank you, Carolyn, for your wise reflections! And all the beautiful photos!
Joanna
Shame, poor Scooter! Fortunately, she knows where to find food (thanks to you guys). It can turn into a long Winter for her. Oh, the pleasure of watching wildlife. Earlier this morning, I was looking at the yellow finches frolicking at the bird feeder in our garden … and forgot that I was actually busy preparing breakfast. But that’s a good way to start the morning.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Scooter survives. Time for more carrots, I reckon!
Best wishes, Pete.
Grant promptly went to get some but I think it was rabbits that benefitted. There’s always peanuts and we will keep an eye out for her. She seems not to have a particular den which makes it more difficult.