The first (rather small in diameter) zinnia opened. I usually just grab 2 or three packs of seeds and sow them without any actual planning. So I’m always surprised by what comes up. This batch is growing much more quickly than the others. Anyway, zinnias are cheerful and I’m grateful for them.
No sign of Buddy. I’ll share some thoughts about this. I’ve done a lot of research on groundhogs over the years. This year I read that after the babies are born, they remain together as a family unit for a few months. After that, the ‘kids’ leave the unit to establish their own residences. I don’t know how old the babies were that day when we first saw them, but a quick calculation told me they’d leave in July or August. I think they’ve done that. I haven’t seen any of the siblings that hung out here either. Last week, I saw Buddy grabbing a handful of dead, dry leaves in his mouth and hold them there before dropping them again. I’d never seen him do that before. He wasn’t going to eat them, so why? And another time, as I headed back to the house after going to the mailbox, I saw him in the entrance area to the tree, digging a bit. That’s something I hadn’t seen from him before. I wonder if the urges to dig and tunnel that are part of his DNA were emerging. I think so. He was getting ready for something.
I miss him, but I don’t miss having to constantly check in to see what he he might be up to. But I must admit, I loved nothing more than watching him lay on one of the rocks, his front paws over the edge, just watching. And then, he’d shift his gaze to me, standing behind the window. He always knew I was there.
One of the profound pleasures of living on this property is the chance to observe wildlife; we’ve watched foxes, deer, groundhogs, birds, monarch butterflies, bunnies, wild turkeys, squirrels, chipmunks, and black bears. How lucky we are!
Well…one good thing: I can finally weed whack some of the areas near the garden bed and funky patio that I purposely kept long so the ‘kids’ had something to eat. It’s clean up time. I cautiously removed two of the blue bin lids that I had employed to make a barrier in my somewhat futile efforts to keep the groundhogs out of the garden. I guess I can take the rest down today.
It’s going to be very hot and humid today. I don’t mind telling you that I’ve been feeling pretty awful this summer between the smoke, the pollen, the humidity, and the rain. There have been very few days in which I caught a break. So rather than act on my initial impulse to mow part of the corral today, I’m going to hold off.
I’m just about to finish Babel (oh, what an excellent novel!) and then I’ll return it to the library and pick up two more books that are waiting for me.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
It’s amazing how quickly baby animals turn into adults! And some adult people never grow up! Very colorful zinnia! Sounds like a good reading day… enjoy!
Thanks, Barrie!
Stay safe.
beautiful zinnia!
happy for you to get to see so many different kinds of animals, and especially the babies … so sweet. :)
we haven’t seen earl (the squirrel) for nearly a week. that is not like him so we are a bit worried and we miss him. a bit like your buddy, earl would lay on his belly at the edge of the deck for sometimes fifteen minutes at a time and watch the world go by. really liked that, knowing he felt safe with us. hoping he’s just found other places to eat and be happy.
glad you’ve been enjoying that book and have more ahead. and that you can spend some time gardening.
happy, safe tuesday to everyone.
kathy
I do so hope that Earl comes back! I know how worrisome that is. Hopefully, you’ll see him soon.
Stay safe., Kathy.
Zinnias are such happy perky flowers….enjoy. I was outside yesterday putting finishing touches on the garden beds, and my son was out front trimming up some things. I had left the garage door open, and lo and behold in snuck three baby raccoons! So cute. They were hiding in the back. We could hear them. After about 15 minutes or so, they cautiously made their way out safely, hugging the walls. Moral of the story…guess we can’t leave our garage door open anymore. Wildlife is all around us.
Your reasoning about Buddy makes sense…guess it was time for him to move on.
Enjoy your day! ;)
Oh, sweet little raccoons!
Stay safe, Donnamae.
Donnamae, what a lovely story.
And Claudia: we don’t have bears in this part of Europe, BUT we’re currently being overrun by wolves… Oldfashioned wolves. And they eat our sheep (among other animals, but the attacks on the flocks of sheep are what gets the juices flowing). DOWN WITH WOLVES, and so on.
I’m so sorry about what’s happening to the sweet sheep!
Stay safe, Petra!
I’m sure you miss Buddy. You’ve done your research well so at least you understand why he disappeared. It was another hot and humid day here with just a trace of rain. Tomorrow a cold front is moving in so that might cool things down. Stay safe. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks, Elaine!
Stay safe.
I would love to have that kind of wildlife around us. We get coyotes, javalinas, lots of birds and rabbits. Sounds like you are in a pretty good world around you. I think I feel the monsoons coming, It is getting a little more humid. I can’t believe what I am seeing in the northeast. What is happening with this climate? So unpredictable! Not much more around here. Stay dry!
There’s no denying climate change anymore. The evidence of it is all around us.
Stay safe, Deb!
It’s hard doing all that outside work in the humidity. I’ve learned a lot about groundhogs just reading this! And now that I’m reading backwards, see why you were especially glad to see Buddy again!
You’ll find out!
Stay safe, Jeanie.