Blog– 6-14-22 – hideawaypond.com
May first. A flash of green and it’s suddenly June. ??!!
I’ve been away. But I can see that the Hideaway and its critters have done quite well without me.
Robins survey the yard for worms. Sure sign of small appetites in a nearby tree. A small rabbit dines on Spring’s gift of fresh green clover. Peonies, laurel and lilacs are in full bloom. And wild iris rims the pond in purple, green and gold. All welcome additions to Spring’s lovely vernal array.
A young doe introduced her new fawn to us this week. So small that it disappears in the tall grass as it struggles to keep up with its mother.
We got a real treat last night. A doe will very carefully hide her fawn while she goes on about other business. Instinct instructs the fawn to conceal itself and lie very still. As we watched them graze near the ledge, the fawn suddenly disappeared and the mother strolled away occasionally looking backward to check on the fawn.
A doe is obviously not given voice to sing lullabies, so she will lull her offspring to sleep by nursing, licking or, well–whatever works.
A black squirrel has moved into the neighborhood.
While squirrels come in many colors, the most common being red, brown, gray, and black, some are less common as compared to others. Black squirrels are comparatively rare, but you will be surprised to find that they are not really as exotic as they seem to be. They are concentrated in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, and are also found in Britain, Quebec and Ontario. It is surprising to note that they are not actually a separate variety or species of squirrels. Black squirrels are actually eastern gray squirrels with a genetic condition called Melanism. An unusual darkening of body tissues caused by excessive production of melanin, especially as a form of color variation in animals.Despite the large populations of black squirrels in these areas, they still account for only about 1 out of every 10,000 eastern gray squirrels.
June’s full moon is commonly known as the strawberry moon, a name that comes from the Algonquin Native American tribe in the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada. It refers to the region’s strawberry harvesting season (not the moon’s actual hue).
Tonight’s strawberry moon will be at its brightest and fullest in North America after sunset. It will light the Catskills for a full three days before dimming, moving on to the summer solstice and a new celestial year.
You’re back & in great musings!!
We too have had 2 fawns born last week in our yard. Soooo cute
Loved the info on squirrels. We have a black squirrel with white back paws in the yard. ??? Looks like it’s wearing socks.
Keep your musings by the pond coming!!!!
Hi Deb! Great to be back and great to hear from you. Wow! Two fawns. You guys have a regular maternaty ward out there. And a black squirrel with white spats. Very, very cool. Must be from the upper echelons of squirreldom. xx
I’ve never heard of black squirrels. Thanks for that. I suspect too many black walnuts and not enough acorns. Or maybe not.
Hi Jerry
Hi Jerry! Good to see you on this side of the pond.When I was a little kid in Ohio. Lots of them there. Memory of them faded after we moved to PA. I think Your theory about black walnuts is probably right. “You are what you eat”