'Tis strange and wonderful being back in the mountains, and the recently departed sunny warm weather here has made for some good viewing of all the local wildlife.
I spent some time just doing so earlier in the week.
Here are some musings on critter watching (wildlife, for the uninformed out there).....
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When I head out for a day to sit on some dry leaves in a sunny spot, I always head for some kind of overlook. Small, wooded hollers are some of the best for a nice spell of sitting down. Now one thing most folk don't know is to be quiet just trying to get there. You gotta watch where you put your feet, try not to break sticks or make too much racket. Making racket is not the thing to do. Walk as quiet as possible. Making racket let's everything for miles around know you are here. Making racket also makes the critters run off and hide. Ain't much use in going critter watching if the first thing you do is scare 'em all off.
I picked a good sunny spot when I went the other day. Had a blast watching a crew of chipmunks playing on a rocky spine ridge top.
Sitting still is the key. I was leaning my back on a tree trunk watching and had just decided to move on.
A shrill bark made me freeze. Fat daddy chipmunk had an acorn. He brought in up to the hole between two grey chunks of rock. They was a problem tho'. Two slim chipmunks was already there a-sunning and stretched out on their bellies, the striped white backs of 'em catching my eyes.
The two skinny dudes decided they wanted that acorn.
Big daddy didn't want to share.
Madness broke out, one skinny grabbing the acorn and running off down the slope. Barking and screaming became fierce.
Big daddy got the acorn back and ran back up to the open hole. He stopped. He dropped it and gave out a victory cheer.
One of the skinny dudes got it back.
Mayhem continued and more chipmunks popped out of holes along the ridgetop to watch.
Red Wing Hawk lit in a White Pine on a low dead branch.
He looked mighty hungry.
Then he dived, and got one.
Back to the tree he went and ripped it open.
All the chipmunks ran into the holes.
Hawk tore out the inside of the chest and gobbled it down. He dropped what was left and flew off.
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Watching critters play was my favorite thing to do when I was a kid, and still is. I urge you to get out and do some yourself.
You never know what you will see.
And it beats the TV. No contest.....
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older/exasperated
John A Bayerl
just phyllis for now
froggy
M. C. S.
Erica K
Salon.com
Comments
I love to watch them.
I guess the new Ed It Or is out getting some coffee.
I cannot say how much I love the reality of life versus the tube Owl.
One foot and more of the white powdery stuff, and cold ass freezing wind. At least the snow has slowed to a little smatter.
But the birds are out and about chirpping.
Life continues here.
Birds are awesome. Each and everyone of 'em.
But the sight of that hawk grabbing the chipmunk was breathtaking. I'll not forget it soon here.
But they ain't none of 'em mine.
So glad someone has some. Critter watching is great fun.
I would be doing it today except for the cold wind here.
Fresh snow is great to follow tracks in.
Unless they are outside.
Mission likes 'em tho'.
She tries chasing them. They always get away from her.
Loved this piece and rated with hug
Linda, I don't have to feed the squirrels here.
Heidi dear, come to the mountains. There are bigger critters to see too.
Yes Patrick. Open eyes are the key. I always like to be still and not move too. That helps.
Glad you got outside a spell. Nature nurtures.
Sheila, after seeing those pics of yours with all the snow, I'd say you are right. But soon they will come out to feed. Track 'em. You will find plenty to see. Birds if nothing else!!
Yes, all men are the same.
You made my day here dear.
It funny but the little furry creature likes only organic whole grains, but the birds like hamberger buns. The crows will eat anything including the squerell if he or she makes the wrong moves.
Nature is wonderful watching it from my front door. I'm a great indoors person.
Everyone ain't an outdoorsy type Mary. glad to see you stopped by and listened to me here.
I do know birds and what they eat. I used to make bird 'cakes' and hang them out when I had a place to do it.
2 cups peanut butter
2 cups lard or ground melted beef suet
2 cups whole rolled oats(not the quick cooking type)
1 cup wheat bran
1 cup flax seed
2 cups shelled sunflower seed
Melt the lard or suet, stir in peanut butter while still hot, stir in the rest and mix well. Pour into a wax paper lined pan and cut to fit the suet feeder. The birds liked the food to be all organic and could tell the difference if I tried to cheap out on 'em. I was constantly amazed to see them fly to the cheap, non-organic mix and fly away.
'Twas as fine day tho' to see these critters up so close. I could see the blood dripping off the feathered face of the hawk.
An awesome sight indeed.
That is funny as can be. Thanks for the chuckle here today woman.