Who knew groundhogs had such long fingers and toes? And such sharp nails!
Despite all that digging, they are remarkably clean.
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And so very cute. The above individual is likely one of last year’s babies. As they age their fur doesn’t look quite as perfect.
And they expect to be waited on…
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OK, maybe they don’t expect door-to-door service, but the way they stare at us sometimes, makes us wonder!
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Mama Groundhog came upon an alternative that we offered one day:
We had rather more bok choy than we could manage, but the wildlife is always happy to help with our leftovers and random stalks of cauliflower and broccoli.
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Our groundhogs have never been offered bok choy before, but it seemed a big hit with Mama and next morning there was not a scrap left.
Keeping up with demand is a tall order now that everyone else seems to have developed a taste for carrots.
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Grey squirrels think they are swell.
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And Little Red is literally mad about it, screaming insults at any creature that would try to steal her prize. Little Red also has babies. They must be precious, but we never see them.
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Zoomer the chipmunk told me the other day that his family is growing too. I’ve seen chipmunks run off with carrot as well, but can’t offer photographic proof.
Chipmunks are very trusting and do not run off when I go out. I did indeed have a conversation with one recently.
As far as I know the foxes don’t eat root vegetables, but they are very keen on peanuts.
It seems all wildlife is!
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The foxes probably have babies as well, but the burrow they used last year is closed since the farmer up the hill removed a fallen tree, creating a path through the woods. We loved having the kits nearby, but it is better all around that they live down by the old wall away from the temptations of a farmyard.
We keep an eye out for them from a back window.
On Friday another wild friend returned:
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We were both happy and sad to see it. Delighted, always, to see any wild animal, but sad because their habitat is disappearing fast and it is hard for them to find food. And also because, even if we could afford to feed a creature this large, we cannot encourage it to be so near to a farm where it could get into trouble.
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The bear found a pile of corn that Grant puts out for various other diners and was tucking in when suddenly it startled and fled across the grass and up the apple tree. Terrifyingly fast.
We wondered what on earth could scare such a large animal.
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It turned out to be two shy turkeys that we had seen earlier.
They caught sight of the bear and beat a hasty retreat of their own.
The bear soon came down from the tree to finish its meal then disappeared into the woods.
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Good to see the return of the bear. We call that Chinese vegetable ‘Pak Choi’ over here, but it’s the same thing. I buy it to use when I cook a Chinese-style stir fry.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much, Carolyn, for the wonderful photo update on the happenings in your wildlife world, even the bear returning for a spot of a meal, and all the other visiting diners hungry after winter eating from the extensive menu and asking for more. Brilliant!
Joanna
I really enjoy seeing your wildlife, and reading their stories.
So entertaining to see them with their carrots, and peanuts! 😊 Thank you!
Catherine
I think the front paws of the groundhogs are just too cute – it almost looks like you could grab a bottle of nail polish and colour those long nails a bright red. And someone will have to inform Mama groundhog that she has to close her mouth when eating – after all, she has to set an example for her kids 😊. Love that video. That a big bear can be scared of turkeys – I would never have guessed that.