Summer Critters

It’s busy around the pond these days. There are the random visits by deer. They generally arrive in ones and twos to graze at the edge of the pond. They seem to prefer the new vegetation that grows there. Gourmands that they are. Two nights ago four of them arrived separately and spread out, each to its own territory. Apparently they preferred to dine alone with their thoughts. Two fawns inexplicably dashed by within feet of the porch three days ago. Hopefully, they hadn’t lost their mother. They were still young enough to be vulnerable.

Small critters abound. This year’s issue of squirrels has taken over from their elders. In a few months, summer’s bounty will be gone and they’ll be scurrying around burying nuts for their first winter–the locations of which they’ll soon forget. The thing that ignites their primitive fire is to find that another critter has beat them to their stash. Ever see a pissed off squirrel? Not a pretty sight.

Shari’s favorite bunny was seen enjoying a luncheon of clover on the front yard with its parents yesterday. Domestic bliss.

Our noisy downstairs neighbor continues to live beneath the porch. Who knew that woodchucks could be so rude? My lovely bride occasionally finds it necessary to do the merengue on the floor to subdue the beast.

The pond is active. The grass carp exalt in the remains that get kicked into the pond during mowings. The bass continue their futile pursuit of low flying dragon flies. To the constant amusement of the dragon flies, I’m sure.

The frogs, especially bullfrogs, continue their round-the-clock chorale. The quick thrust of a tongue and scratch one insect.

Event of the day. Smokey strolled down the driveway and on between the pond and ledge while we were having lunch on the porch. Before we could lay down our sandwiches and grab a camera, he had sauntered, unprovoked, into the woods.

Just as well.