Tag Archives: woods

Neighborhood Wildlife

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We are fortunate to enjoy a variety of native critters that visit our back yard. They come out of the wooded area behind our home. Mostly, they seek the bird seed which the birds peck from the feeder and the rest falls to the ground.

Our biggest critter is deer which feed on the honeysuckle shrubs, and occasionally bird seed. Far off, and on rare sightings do we see bucks, but they seldom come near our yard.

We try to discourage deer due to deer ticks, but they are fun to watch browsing the bushes. We definitely don’t do anything to attract racoons due to their ability to wreak havoc and carry disease, but recently a mom and her pups came into our yard to eat corn under the bird feeder. They are cute rascals with their bandit faces and human-like fingers.

In this particular instance, mom climbed the tree, came down the cord and shook the bird feeder to scatter the seed to the ground. Clever animals.

Squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks visit us multiple times a day. Food is a powerful motivator. We even had a large female snapping turtle lay eggs in the sloped hillside next to the woods. We have an array of birds which frequent the feeder: cardinals, several varieties of sparrows, chickadees, junco’s, blue jays, and woodpeckers. Plenty of robins and thrashers, too, but they prefer worms and grubs. Rather than bore you with bird photos, I’ll simply share a few a more photographs.

The ducks and geese photos were taken while on a walk nearby and not in our back yard. However, it’s probably only a matter of time before these Canadian geese visit us as they have little to no fear of humans, and they are everywhere.

We have seen and heard coyotes, bobcats, turkey vultures, owls and a variety of hawks. Surprisingly, very few snakes even though there is water nearby. Perhaps the previously mentioned predators keep them in-check.

Later the same day, after I posted this blog, and after stating we see seldom see a buck, this guy shows up in a clearing in the woods. Oh well, surprised again!

Most of these images were taken via my cell phone through windows; hence the quality isn’t he best.

Unknown species.

OUTSTANDING

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Just a tree, a barren gaggle of pale branches

Standing out among it’s vibrant brothers and sisters

Rather out-of-place, but not all that uncommon

Illuminated by early morning sunshine-a reflection

Placid water became a mirror; green glass

What grew upwards appears to have grown downwards

Almost like the timber grew into the depth of the surrounding water

An illusion? A simple opportunistic photograph? A surprise?

Yes, a surprise of sorts as nature consistently creates the transcendent, the distiguished, the outstanding.

Shadows

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Leaf Shadow June 23, 2017

I hiked in a nearby wooded park yesterday morning. Using my cell phone’s camera, I captured several images of nature’s creation. Besides the vibrant colored wild flowers and insects, this particular image grabbed my attention. The play of the sun sifting through the thick canopy of trees created all manner of shadows. In this case the dead wood provided the perfect screen for the leaves to project their shadow upon.

I didn’t linger as I was walking for enjoyment as well as for exercise. I have thought about shadows since I took this photograph. Wherever there is light, there will be a shadow. When I was atop a 12,000 ft. mountain in the Rockies several years ago, I recall these giant clouds rolling overhead at a very fast rate. Yet, their shadows seemed so small when blanketing the terrain. I recall feeling so insignificant in comparison. Nature has a way of putting our lives in proper perspective.

Shadows can’t always be trusted because they don’t always reveal accurately the very essence of the thing being illuminated. They can become quite distorted depending on the angle of light and the screen they are displayed on.

Sunlight Thru Kitchen Window Slats 2-11-12 a

Why is it we are sometimes afraid of shadows? I believe it hinges on the object being illuminated. If we don’t know what or who is causing the shadow, this is when our imaginations can run wild. Many movies have used shadows to invoke fear in the hearts of the actor, as well as the viewers of the movie. Dark alleys, blowing trees at night, a cat racing across a darkened room, an arm raised with an object that looks like a knife…there are endless possibilities!

Tree Branch Shadows In The Snow 2-11-11

I have been ran over by my own shadow on many occasions. I have stepped on many shadows, as well. I’ve even had shadows follow me. But, I have never had a shadow hurt me. Besides making one feel scared at times, shadows can be fun…think of shadow animal figures projected on a wall. This form of art can become quite amusing. It is what’s in front of the shadow that we are really concerned about. A palm tree perhaps!

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