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Retiring to their favourite perches, Dee Dee and Willow wrote Monday off, dismissing their customary morning walk saying they “just could not be bothered.”
It’s a little grey but I’m not sure what has put them in such a funk. Our cats are creatures of habit and when their behaviour suddenly changes, it makes us wonder!
What do they know that we don’t?
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Perhaps it’s just that they sense the change of seasons.
This morning when we rose it was still dark.
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We hope the tiniest groundhogs manage to build themselves up enough for their long sleep over winter. This poor little scrap is missing its tail, possibly a birth-defect but more likely amputated by one of its kin, or maybe a predator.
The groundhogs will be around until the beginning of October. Despite their assault on Grant’s vegetable patch, we are very fond of these funny creatures that are endlessly entertaining.
For example when they nearly tip over backwards as they devour their carrot:
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Yesterday we went to check out the modest Dionondahowa Falls . It involved a short walk which Grant was concerned might be too difficult for me but I was determined to find out.
It was both satisfying and disappointing. There is very little water in the river currently and the view is mostly blocked by foliage. It’s somewhere to return to when we’ve had a lot of rain and the leaves are down.
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At such time, of course, access will be more challenging. Steep paths like this are a bit of a problem when you have eyes that deceive you and ankles that tend to twist without warning.
However, I accepted a sturdy walking stick and allowed Grant to lead the way cautiously. I do know my limits and don’t take foolish risks.
Most of the walk was quite easy although one had to watch out for protruding roots. Mostly we looked for acorns. Some Grant will try to grow but the rest we brought home for our squirrels who scooped them up promptly.
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It wasn’t a terribly exciting outing, but the falls are nearby so getting there was no effort.
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And walking in the woods is always pleasant.
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The two-car parking area is adjacent to the fair ground where the summer festival is going on.
We did not investigate.
Returning, we took a route that passes a lake that has shrunk to half its normal size.
Ponds everywhere are stagnant, if not dried up.
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But no doubt the wet will return.
Nothing is forever.
Good to know, Carolyn, that you are sensible and have a great friendship to rely on. Animals do know more instinctively, which is why they survive in times of tsunamis or other disasters, and seek higher ground before we realise what is happening. Thank you for the views of the sky, the falls, and your delightful friends.
Joanna
Are they waterfalls, or a man-made weir? If you want acorns, I have thousands available, falling constantly from both Oak trees on our property. Might be expensive to come and collect them from Beetley though.
Best wishes, Pete.
There is a weir above the falls. We found more oak trees today!
That path through the roots looks ready-made for twisted ankles.
Yes, one wonders how the groundhogs manage to stay upright while they eat (it really looks in your video like he/she is going to fall over)! Give me a forest walk any day instead of a summer festival. And yes, I think one has to be quite careful among all those tree roots (especially when it’s wet) … it’s great that you didn’t let that intimidate you 😊.
Love the video of the groundhog eating.
The walk through the forest and the falls is lovely.