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Until this week it was almost like waiting for a concert to start, the orchestra tuning in.
Then suddenly a great fanfare, as the world revealed its summer face.
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It is all the more noticeable because 2023 was such a lack-lustre year.
It was as if, last year, Nature was half-hearted.
“Nobody notices anyway, so why bother?”
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Previous years, the trees along the edge of the lower field filled out such that the house was barely visible from the state route beyond.
The house is to the right of that small triangle of the garage on the right.
Last year we remained in full view.
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It’s quite nice for us when the trees conceal the road.
It was at the beginning of June last year when the air filled with wildfire smoke, which is possibly why there were fewer birds at the feeders.
These days it is hard to keep up with demand.
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There are ebbs and flows, of course. For all of history there have been times of plenty and times when the crops failed, even before global warming.
It’s only been a few years since I came to live in the countryside and have been able to observe changes with my own eyes.
Good to know that what we witnessed last year was not the beginning of decline but a period of rest.
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Which is not to say I don’t believe in climate change. You don’t need to be a farmer to notice devastating storms and fires.
These things have become a feature of news around the globe every year.
It was not so when I was young. They occurred of course, but not with the regularity and intensity that has become the norm.
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The allergies, bugs and hot weather that come with Summer make it the season I least enjoy and yet it is hard not to be thrilled by the sight of so much life.
Natural life and wildlife.
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While I cannot prove it to you photographically, due to non-cooperation of the subjects, at lunchtime today a fourth baby groundhog revealed itself shyly.
Perhaps I’ll call her Tardy.
Her? It is not possible to know at this stage and since they won’t all line up together and agree to name tags, I’ll never keep them straight.
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But yes, we did count four in view at the same time.
Although they still latch on to their mum, literally, the babies are quite independent, nosing about in the grass and accepting whatever extras they may find.
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Including peanuts which seem to be everyone’s preferred treat.
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Perhaps the natural leader, already posing!
Sure looks like a boy to me.
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I still hold out hope for Scooter who we last saw on March 29th. We know she was going to the burrow behind the garage and I leave carrots and water for her twice a day.
It may be some other creature that benefits, but sentimental fool that I may be, I hope she is just keeping a low profile while the young ones are busy doing their thing.
Thank you, Carolyn, for your nature musing today! Babies are beautiful and how you keep resisting the temptation to stroke those tummies, I don’t know!
Joanna
I’m sure Scooter pops out every time your back is turned!
Not long after I posted her picture I went out with the afternoon top-up and there were her drag marks on the driveway. No mistaking it for anything else as it’s unique. Made my heart sing!
Great news. She has survived so very well considering her quite severe disability.
The baby groundhogs are so cute (and I also immediately thought that little one that seems so confident is a boy)! I see you mention here in the comments that you did see Scooter’s drag marks – I think she lives well because you bring the food and water up to her … you are definitely a friend to animals.