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Sun spots drifting across the fields drew me outside to the displeasure of juvenile starlings that fluttered off.
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Little Red darted under a hedge.
If I waited so as not to disturb the wildlife, I’d never go out. No matter which door we use, there’s always some creature lurking.
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This morning two foxes were running around when I went out with offerings of nuts and bird seed.
We became concerned when we saw Peanut under the hedge where the groundhogs live.
Recently I’d seen her catch a squirrel and a baby groundhog would make an equally tasty morsel.
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Although we’d seen a threesome often enough, we hadn’t been able to confirm the headcount for some time.
So we were relieved, two days ago when four popped up…
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While number 5 peered out from under the hedge.
All accounted for.
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This is how they stare expectantly at us in the window .
Groundhog babies grow really fast.
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However, there’s a runt in every litter, one that is very tiny and extra sweet.
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Petite but quite healthy-looking.
“My siblings eat like little piggies, but I watch my figure.”
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Zoomer the chipmunk quite enjoys a bit of carrot too.
Chipmunks are very bold. I’ve had them walk across my foot.
In an ideal world, I’d sit down on the grass and befriend all the creatures that share our hill but I wouldn’t want to teach them to trust human beings.
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Tipper (or White Tip) visits frequently.
Skunk individuals are easily identifiable.
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As are some squirrels.
This one is Red Shoes.
Perhaps new to the world this year. His clothes look brand new.
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While watching the sun spots, I found one of Grant’s special friends. Beetles.
This one is the Japanese variety.
Equally voracious.
When he came back from checking this morning, Grant muttered:
“Instead of butternuts, we’ve got battered nuts.”
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In the hedge above the groundhog burrow, what I originally believed was a spiderweb turned out to be Fall Webworm Moth Caterpillars.
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Eventually, they will turn into this.
(Image from BugGuide.Net)
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The tent doesn’t exactly enhance or improve the hedge, but never mind.
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Now it must be time for me to go and disturb someone else…
At least the bugs eating Grant’s crops arrive snappily dressed, and very colourful. I was glad to see that the fox hadn’t eaten a baby groundhog.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you Carolyn, for the update on your wonderful life among the wildlife! What is going to happen to the bugs? Good to see all the youngsters accounted for and thriving on carrots!
Joanna
We seem to have rather a large population of Cinnabar moths at the moment. Very pretty, but they can be a nuisance!
I had to look those moths up. At least they are pretty!
Red Shoes looks like a potential model with that lovely outfit. I hope mama groundhog warns her little ones against any wandering foxes – hopefully, they are alert for anything else that doesn’t look like them.