When looking for a property out in Seattle, I hoped to find a mountain view and found a condo which had a picture window that framed Mt Rainier perfectly, but the real estate agent dragged her feet and someone else got their paperwork in first. At the time, I was crushed but then I persuaded myself that having such a view every day, I would have come to take it for granted and that I would no longer appreciate it for what it was.
It wasn’t hard to get a view of that magnificent mountain, or to be accurate volcano and the many times I saw it, it always looked the same, whereas the view here, from my kitchen window across the valley changes by the hour, the day, the season.
Thus, there is no chance of it being taken for granted or unappreciated.
My kitchen window has much to offer:
Foxes may be the most vigilant of the creatures we see, constantly scanning for threats. This one is even more nervous than most.
The back windows look across the upper meadow where a family of five foxes appeared two nights ago.
As we drove out yesterday a fawn turned to watch us pass.
If I saw them every day, I could never take them for granted or stop appreciating them
This year’s fashion parade of squirrel tails has been lack lustre:
In fact the squirrels have been decidedly quiet in general.
It was only the sudden appearance of this white tail that reminded me.
That evening the parade saw four varieties of grey
The designers seem not to have put much energy into the effort this year.
The injury you see is quite usual. Squirrels are perfectly vicious to each other but carry their wounds well and seem to heal quickly.
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Past fashion shows have been much more exciting:
They included many shades of red.
With differently coloured accessories. Note the shoes.
Some tails had patterns.
They were very stylish.
The models had poise.
They seemed to take pride in their display.
Even the plain greys had some sort of panache.
My aunt was an animal lover and when I lived with her on Long Island, we put nuts out for the squirrels. One took them from my hand, but I never had time to pay much attention to the creatures.
Only after moving here did I get to see squirrels as individuals but I still don’t know much about them and have not figured out how it is that they suddenly seem to all disappear at once.
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It certainly doesn’t do to become fond of them, or to name them, like pretty Grayson who was with us all too briefly three years ago.
One or two squirrels might fall to a predator but not all of them at once and year after year in the same way.
My theory is that they board a bus and relocate.
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Little Red did stay for some time, but she was an Adirondack Red Squirrel.
She gave birth several times and when she left, we assumed it was for the great beyond rather than greener pastures.
We shall always remember her sweet face and the joy she brought us.
Thank you, Carolyn, for the delightful fashion show of your furry visitors, especially the squirrels. You are right, your kitchen window has so much to offer every single day. Shame that some of our wildlife friends will be gone one day, but nothing and nobody can be here forever.
Joanna
When I watch the birds in our garden, or see your photos of foxes and other animals, I often think how stressful their lives must be. Always anticipating danger, looking over their shoulders, and running or flying at the first unfamiliar sound.
Best wishes, Pete.
The foxes video is awesome !
And I also like the photos of the squirrels. 👍
I think they come to visit us, stay for a few weeks and then go back to you. Currently, we have only one visitor who shows up infrequently. A few weeks ago we had two families here every day.
I love the view of mountains, but I have to agree with you, the views you currently have from your house’s windows are really special! Maybe the squirrel designers decided to be a lot more modest this year with their fashions (I smile slightly while thinking of ’50 shades of grey’🙈 … and I promise, I have never read the book). Little Red has always been one of my favourite animals in your garden.